Distinguished Alumni of 2009

Chuck Heise – Class of 1985 

Chuck graduated from D.C. Everest in 1985. During his time at Everest he lettered in Wrestling, Football and Track and was a state Wrestling Champion in 1985. Thereafter he attended the University of Minnesota where he was a Big Ten Wrestling Champion in 1990. In addition, he was awarded the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor as well as an NCAA post graduate scholarship that year. From there he entered the University of Minnesota Medical School and received his M.D. Degree in 1994. He then began his residency in general surgery at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  From there his surgery training continued in England as well as back to the University of Minnesota, specializing in colon and rectal surgery. 

In 2002, he returned to Madison and joined the surgery faculty at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where he is currently an Associate Professor of Surgery. In addition to treating many patients, he has published numerous articles in his field of surgery, is actively involved in surgical research and continues to teach surgical trainees and medical students on a daily basis. He has received several awards including being named repeatedly as a “Best Doctor in America” and Madison Magazine’s “Top Doctor” Selections. 

He is forever grateful to the teachers and coaches of the D.C. Everest School district for providing a solid yet memorable athletic and academic foundation.  Chuck currently lives in Madison with his wife, Heather, and two children.

Chad Felch – Class of 1990 

Chad Felch graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1990, where he played defensive back for the football team that won State in 1989.  He went on to earn BS degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  

After graduating, Chad began his career supervising production at a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer, followed by working in an industrial hygiene laboratory, before taking on his current role as a research and development chemist for Siemens Water Technologies.  During his ten years at Siemens, Chad has developed more than 100 inventions.  He has authored or co-authored 12 patents to date that have been issued or are in progress.  In 2007, Chad was presented the Siemens Inventor of the Year Award, for his contribution in developing an environmentally friendly process that reduced and the amount of hazardous waste produced in the oil sands region of Alberta Canada. 

Chad has helped to inspire future scientist by donating his time to help students at D.C. Everest and UWSP with science experiments and internships, as well as giving demonstrations for students at elementary and high schools.  He is also active in the United Way and his church.

Chad and his wife Jen live in Kronenwetter with their daughter Chloe and son Brayden.    

Judy (Adams) Swank – Class of 1966 

Judy graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1966. She completed four years of undergraduate studies at UW Madison and then one year at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1971 with a degree in Pharmacy. Judy was employed by a number of pharmacies throughout the Rhinelander area.

She also served the community in a number of ways including coaching junior high school track and high school Nordic skiing, hosting numerous foreign exchange students, being an active member in the Rhinelander Area Ski Trails Association (RASTA), the Oneida County Biking and Walking Trail Council and she sat on the board for the Oneida County Eco Business Park development. She also served as the Honorary Chairperson of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Rhinelander. Judy was recognized by her community via the Paul Harris Fellowship given by the Rhinelander Rotary Club in 2008. Most recently a newly constructed shelter on the Washburn Ski Trails was named in her honor. The things she dedicated her life to reflect her belief in a physical lifestyle and Emersonian ideal of self-reliance.

Judy passed away as a result of ovarian cancer on February 25, 2009. She is survived by her husband Lee Swank of Rhinelander, her son Adam Swank of Duluth, MN.