Ross Draegert and Dr. Robert Starshak are two names that Milwaukee will likely never forget. Their community involvement spans decades, and includes both extensive community service roles, and significant financial support for gay and lesbian organizations and causes as well as political candidates supporting our causes.

Initially, Ross took the more active role in community involvement, while Robert concentrated more on his work as a physician. Ross was extremely active with the Cream City Foundation, serving in multiple roles over decades. He began on the Board of Directors, and was the liaison of CCF to the ACHOICE workplace-fundraising coalition when United Way did not recognize the needs of smaller community-based organizations.

But together Ross and Robert have always been extremely generous in making financial contributions to worthy GLBT causes- including $100,000 to defeat the amendment to ban gay marriage, the 2003 rescue of PrideFest after its financial crisis that year, and large annual contributions to the Cream City Foundation and other groups and causes.

Ross lives with his long-time partner, Robert Starshak (M.D.), in their handsome house, "Birch Lodge", in River Hills.