Timeless Voices: Ed Wucker
All photos provided by Ed Wucker.
Ryley Findlay
At 81 years old, Ed Wucker has lived a life filled with adventure, education, and meaningful connections. From his early school days in Wauwatosa to his extensive career in education, he has shaped countless lives while constantly seeking new experiences.
Growing Up and Education
Ed grew up in Wauwatosa, attending Mother of Good Counsel, St. Pius, and eventually Salvatorian Seminary, an all-boys high school where he graduated in 1962. Reflecting on his high school experience, he notes how structured it was compared to schools today. “We rang the bell at 5:30 with 120 other guys. We were not allowed to talk from lights out at 9:15 until after breakfast.”
His educational journey didn’t stop there. He studied at Mount St. Paul College, earned a degree from Marquette University, and even received a fellowship to Northwestern, which “paid me to go to school.” His passion for learning never faded, and later in life, he picked up multiple languages, including French, Latin, and German.
A Career in Education
Ed’s career took him across the country as a teacher, administrator, and headmaster. He taught Latin at Lincoln High School before moving into leadership roles at Pembroke Country Day School, The Prairie School, and Vanguard in Waco, Texas, where he restructured the school’s administration and student committees. He later worked at Marquette University, leading alumni programs, and spent ten years teaching Latin and coaching tennis at the University School of Milwaukee before retiring at 71. Even in retirement, he continued to substitute teach at various schools, proving his passion for education never faded.
Adventures Abroad
One of Ed’s most memorable adventures was his first trip to Europe in 1987. While traveling from West Germany to East Germany, he experienced firsthand the clear differences between the two sides of Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Guards thoroughly inspected their tour bus, even confiscating the film from a student’s camera during an inspection. The contrast between the East and the West left a lasting impression on him. Since then, Ed has traveled extensively throughout Western Europe, including Scotland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
Life, Love, and Lessons
Ed met his wife in a French class at Marquette University, and they’ve been married for 58 years. Together, they raised four children—one of whom is a published author—and now enjoy time with their eight grandchildren.
When asked about regrets, Ed says, “I don’t think I had any regrets. Some things I wouldn’t want to do again, but I’ve learned from them.” If he had chosen a different career, he speculates that he “might have been an optometrist because it’s a caring profession, but you don’t have to have someone’s life in your hands.”
Advice for High Schoolers
Ed’s wisdom, gathered over decades, offers valuable advice for students today:
“Use your time well; don’t waste it. You are making your tomorrows today.”
“Respect your classmates’ time.”
“Be patient. Every period of life has good and bad moments—don’t rush through any of them. Enjoy what’s good about each stage.”
“Explore different things and be open to new experiences.”
Perhaps his most powerful takeaway is this: “Things can change so fast; life is fragile. Bad things happen, but we need to be resilient. Sometimes we need to appreciate the bad things, or we take the good things for granted.”
Ed Wucker’s story is a testament to the power of lifelong learning, embracing change, and making the most of every moment.
