APPLETON - A member of the UW-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame passed away, April 10, 2003. Jack Notebaart, 97, who was inducted into the Stout Hall of Fame in 1981, died at his home in Appleton. Notebaart was a pioneer on the football field as a wide receiver, when the forward pass was used sparingly. Graduating from what was then Stout Institute in 1929 with a degree in industrial education, Notebaart pulled down numbers that would raise eyebrows still today.
In 1927 against Superior, Notebaart hauled in 15 passes, a record that would stand until 1994 when Kevin Wiese caught 16 passes. Later in that season, Notebaart gained 157 yards receiving, a mark that stood until the wild passing days of the late 1980s when it was surpassed several times.
Following graduation, Notebaart taught printing at the Appleton Vocational and Adult School for 42 years, retiring from what is now Fox Valley Technical College in 1971.
A Professional Golfers Association (PGA) member, Notebaart worked as a golf pro at Peninsula State Park Golf Course and at the New London Country Club. For more than 25 years, Notebaart taught golf at the Appleton YMCA and was a high school basketball and football official.
Notebaart was born Dec. 5, 1905 in Antwerp, Belgium. The family emigrated to the United States in 1908, resided in Chicago for three years, and then St. Paul, Minn., where Jack graduated from high school in 1924. He participated in football, basketball and baseball and received his high school's most outstanding athlete award. He attended the University of St. Thomas before transferring to Stout, where he was all-league in both football and basketball.
Notebaart was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, the Professional Golfer's Association of America and the Wisconsin Section of the Association. He was one of the founders, life member, and former board member of the Appleton Junior Chamber of Commerce, a life member of the Appleton Curling Club, and a life member of the Appleton Elks Lodge #337.
Jack was married to Eileen Zuehlke on June 16, 1934, sharing 58 years together before her death on February 6, 1993.
Survivors include a daughter Barbara (Richard) Nehls of Madison and their children Jennifer (Paul) Snyder, Dr. Sarah Rikkers, and Paul Nehls; a son John Notebaart of Appleton and his children Ross and Katie Notebaart; a brother Edward (Lois) Notebaart of North St. Paul; a sister-in-law Gert Notebaart of Red Wing, Minn; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Jack was preceded in death by five sisters and three brothers all of North St. Paul.
The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated, April 14 at St. Therese Catholic Church, with Fr. William Hoffman and Fr. James Notebaart officiating. A memorial fund has been established.