Jim Plunkett, one of the Midwest’s top architects, died Feb. 20 at his home in River Hills, Wis.
Plunkett was a retired partner with Milwaukee architecture and interior-design firm Plunkett Raysich Architects. He was 81 years old.
Plunkett joined the firm in 1958, two years after he graduated from Cornell University with a dgree in architecture. Plunkett’s father, Henry, founded the company in 1935. Jim Plunkett was named president of the firm in 1971.
He accomplished much during his time heading the company, including establishing marketing and interior-design departments at the firm.
Some of Plunkett’s better-known clients include the Riveredge Nature Center, the Cedarburg Police Department and Mortara Instruments.
Plunkett was devoted to his craft. He put off full retirement and instead provided architectural consulting services for several projects. He regularly visited the Milwaukee office to visit with friends and colleagues, according to a press release issued by Plunkett Raysich Architects.
“Jim was a great teacher, a great mentor, a great giver and a great partner and friend,” said Dave Raysich, managing partner with Plunkett Raysich Architects, in a written statement.
In a statement, the architecture firm said that Plunkett’s “heartwarming spirit and generous personality will be deeply missed.”
