Milton E. Isaacson

Milton Edward Isaacson was born December 15, 1925 in Laona, Wisconsin to proud parents Helena Laura Isaacson and Oscar Sedolf Isaacson. He was the youngest of his 4 siblings, Alice, Harold, Oswald and Arnold. Milt grew up in Lakewood, Wisconsin where he attended Lakewood grade school and graduated from nearby Wabeno High School in 1943. His childhood years were spent working for his father in the Lakewood Mercantile Store, fishing and exploring the lakes of Oconto County and the Nicolet National forest, and roaming the woods and fields nearby his home, which still stands today with its prominent enormous black walnut tree that forms a landmark in Lakewood. It was during this time that he made lifelong friends with Gerald Thielke, Gene King, Richard Hailey, and Jack Jeranek to name just a few.

After graduating from high school, Milt entered the University of Wisconsin Engineering College in July of 1943. There he completed three semesters before the thirst for adventure and wander lust took hold and he joined the United States Maritime Service. He was trained as a radio operator and spent the next three years touring the world on freight ships and troop carriers. This took him to South America, Europe, Australia, South East Asia and Asia. He experienced wartime activities, roamed Japan shortly after the U.S. occupation and saw the world. He loved his time at sea and always felt moved whenever he entered or left a port. Amazing Grace on the bagpipes would later become one of his favorite songs as it marked the coming and going of sailing ships he later vacationed on with his family in the Caribbean.

Milt re-entered the University of Wisconsin in 1947 and completed a B.S. degree in economics in 1950. He then went on to marry Carol, his first wife, and to work in the banking industry in Green Bay.

Change took hold again and Milt later found himself as a single business entrepreneur in the late 1950’s in southern California. It was here that he made more life-long friends, pursued his passion of flying with Eric Murray and enjoyed what California had to offer. Together with Herb Hyman, he created a lasting bond and learned what it would take to run his own company. To Milt, southern California also brought Barbara Lunette Bird who was to become his wife. They met as part of a philosophy group that explored life’s questions. In southern California, they enjoyed sailing and horseback riding, and the start of their family together with the birth of their daughter Kristen.

Milt and Barb then packed up and moved the new family to Denver, Colorado, in 1963, where they soon greeted their other children Erec, Jackie and Bill. Time was now spent starting the new business Perki Coffee, raising the children, and exploring all that health food had to offer! A short detour to Bartlesville, Oklahoma to dabble in the oil business was soon followed by a return to life in Colorado. It was at this time that Milt began to carry the cross of deteriorating eyesight that he would have to bear for the rest of his life.

The family was familiar with the concept of a road trip. Many miles of asphalt were covered as Milt and Barb took them to Wisconsin and California, summer and winter, pulling trailers and enjoying stops along the way. Milt was good at ignoring the ever present cries of “Stuckeys!”, and tolerating, to some extent, the fighting that took place in the back seat. He was good at making sure the kids knew their roots and made it a priority to visit the relatives and keep those connections alive. The time spent with Dad in Wisconsin, visiting grandma and reliving his childhood was invaluable. As Perki prospered, Milt took the family on more adventurous vacations sailing in the Caribbean, reliving his time at sea, and taking the family to the Flying X Ranch in Wyoming to experience life on the plains.

Perki was a major part of Milt’s life. He created a business that touched so many people and helped to create many lasting friendships, like that with Rudy Proctor. Milt taught his kids to work, by employing them at Perki, washing pots, sweeping floors, taking orders, fixing coffee machines, and the girls keeping the books.

Milt valued friends and family and always extended a helping hand to those that asked. He did everything he could to prepare his kids for life in the “real” world, pushed them to be more, and to enjoy and participate in sports and other activities. He was a loving father, supporting his kids irrespective of their choices, even as his boys moved into “big oil” and had to endure countless conspiracy theories. That same compassion and push was extended to his grand children as more Burlesons, Isaacsons & Lozowicks entered the world. All boys until Ali came along in 2004. He was always a favorite of his grandchildren, as he poked, teased, played with and mentored them into adulthood.

Milt eventually sold Perki in 1991 and moved into retirement, a time described by many as the golden years, but for Milt was a constant battle with his eyesight. During these later years Milt found much joy with his family and friends, who could bring out that special man that everyone loved so much. He was very grateful for the deep relationship he established with Farley Lozowick and his family, and for his renewed companionship with Barbara. Milt was deeply spiritual and never once doubted his faith. He and we know that he is in heaven today.

We love you dad…