Dawson Trine

Dawson Trine, passed from this life October 10, 2024, at Southwest Health Center. The son of Franklin and Laura (Beer) Trine, Dawson was born July 12, 1930, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father was teaching PE in the Cincinnati school system. Due to his paternal grandfather's illness, in 1934, the Trine family returned to Bagley, Wisconsin. After moving to Dodgeville, Wisconsin, in fourth grade, Dawson met his future wife, Marie Olson. Dawson was serious about his academics and athletics and enjoyed band and choral groups. Dawson and Marie graduated from Dodgeville High School in 1948.

 Dawson received his B.S. degree from UW Platteville with majors in Mathematics and Chemistry and a minor in Physics, graduating in 1953. He then taught mathematics and chemistry in the McHenry, IL, High School. In 1957, Dawson taught mathematics in the Arlington Heights High School, IL. Dawson and Marie moved back to Platteville in 1958 and lived there for over 60 years. Dawson received his MS Degree from UW-Madison in1957, and his PhD in Mathematics Education from UW-Madison in1965. Dawson taught mathematics at UW-Platteville for 37 years and was Chairman of the Department of Mathematics for 13 of those years.

 Dawson must have been greatly impressed with this Cardinal Principle of Education: ……”The worthy use of leisure time,” because he played tennis, golf, pickleball and other sports well into his 90's. He was a fan of the Badgers and Packers, and he enjoyed working Sudoku puzzles. Dawson sang in church choirs for about 70 years.

 After retiring, Dawson and Marie enjoyed their winters in Florida, and in the spring, returning to beautiful southwest Wisconsin, relatives and friends. Dawson and Marie were pleased to partner with their long time friends Bill and Jean Sanders to help create the Sanders-Trine Pickleball Complex in Platteville Wisconsin.

 Dawson is survived by his wife of 76 years, Marie Trine; sons, Larry (Gloria) Trine, Livingston WI, Bob (Lynne) Trine, Malibu, CA, and David (Marlene) Trine, Cottage Grove, WI; his brothers, Lewis Trine, Upland, CA and Arden (Jean) Trine, Madison, WI; grandchildren, Kristin (Mike) Postulart, Michael (Shannon) Trine, Darci (Jason) Fritz, Evan Trine; step grand-children, Winter Walker and Cameron Selan; greatgrandchildren, Logan and Jacob Schulz, Jason and Ellyn Fritz, Nolan and Lukas Trine; step-great grandchildren, Madelyn Postulart, Chris Walker and Ailani Lee; extended family, Saa and Willette McCarthy and children, J-Mac, Dawson, Ernest, Faith, Huston, TX; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Dawson was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rick Trine; daughter-in-law Cindy (Lieb) Trine; and his daughter-in law, Joan (Hammes) Trine. 

A Celebration of Dawson's Life will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Melby Funeral Home, 1245 N. Water Street, Platteville, WI. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to the time of service, at 12:00 noon. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorials may be given to the “Dawson Trine Memorial Fund,” to be used to help needy students in the Platteville Public Schools and UW-Platteville. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.