Campus memorial set for Midvale crash victims

A campus memorial service will be held in memory of Lindsey Plank, Dan Myers and Richard Putze, UW–Madison students who died in an Aug. 27 car accident on Midvale Boulevard.

The service will be held at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, at the Red Gym. It is being coordinated by the organization of University Religious Workers in cooperation with the Offices of the Dean of Students.

Friends, family, faculty and staff members are invited to share stories and reflections about lives of the three students. Dean of Students Lori Berquam is also expected to speak.

All three had made a unique mark on campus. Putze and Plank were involved in the Department of Chemistry as volunteer lecture demonstrators. Myers was a talented pianist who had recently become eligible to receive his degree.

“Dan was a piano major in my studio for all four of his years here at UW and was one of the most talented students I’ve ever had,” reflects Professor Todd Welbourne of the School of Music.

“He was extremely bright and had a unique take on everything he touched. He could toss off a virtuoso Liszt etude with ease, and then turn around and give an in-depth theoretical analysis of complicated 20th century music,” he adds. “He certainly had a bright future waiting for him in the music world. We are all going to miss him so very much.”

Separately, scholarship funds have been set up in the name of Myers in the School of Music and for Plank and Putze in the Department of Chemistry. The chemistry department will also assist anyone wanting to provide funds directly to the families.

For more information about the service, or if you would like to speak or otherwise participate, contact Jon Dahl at (608) 251-0001.