In Memoriam

Andrew Rickard Lauritzen

Obituary

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

May 7, 2025

Andy Lauritzen
1964 Yale graduation

Andy Lauritzen ‘64 passed away on April 30, 2025 after a long-term illness. Born in Madison, WI, he was the son of Rickard Harding Lauritzen and Sara Landefeld Lauritzen.

Andy graduated from Milwaukee Country Day School, where he received the “Don’t Wait to be a Great Man, Be a Great Boy” award. He went on to Yale University where he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1964. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1967. That same year, Andy married Raquel (née Garcia) and they made their home in Milwaukee.

He joined the firm of Godfrey and Kahn, where he practiced corporate law for 50 years in areas including finance and mergers and acquisitions. He was also an expert in nonprofit law and served as legal counsel to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation from 1970 until his retirement.

Andy Lauritzen
in recent years

Andy was universally liked and respected by his clients, colleagues, and friends. He was known for his business acumen, reliability, and sense of humor. His intelligence showed through when he linked unlikely events in a humorous way, and saw things from a clever and unique perspective.

In addition to his wife, Andy is survived by sons William Lauritzen and Matthew Lauritzen (Nuria Lauritzen). Andy loved being “Grandy” to grandchildren Christopher, Sara, and Luke, spending much of his free time with them.

From 1987 to 1991 Andy served on the board of directors of Camp Manito-wish YMCA in Boulder Junction, WI and was previously on the board of the Friends of Milwaukee Art Museum. He enjoyed golf, collecting political items, traveling with Raquel, and eating bratwurst. Andy was an inveterate fan of the Green Bay Packers. His memberships included the American Political Items Collectors, Chenequa Country Club, and the University Club of Milwaukee.

There will be a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Manito-wish YMCA, Milwaukee Art Museum, or a charity of your choice.