Remembering John Sonderegger

by William Young

John Sonderegger's association with Oscar Rennebohm and the chain of drug stores he built began in 1936 during Mr. Sonderegger's attendance at the University. At that time, he was hired as a part-time clerk. He impressed Oscar with his business acumen, his industry, and his loyalty to such an extent that after his graduation from the School of Business in 1940, John Sonderegger was hired as a full-time employee in the accounting office. He rose steadily in rank and importance and was eventually made President and Treasurer of the company in 1956. There he continued as Chief Executive Officer until the drug stores were sold to Walgreens in 1980.

"Sondy" -- as he was known to his friends and associates -- was an unusually effective leader with incredible capacity for hard work, and mastery of detail and grand strategy, a caring employer, straightforward in business relations and honest in character. When Oscar Rennebohm embarked on a political career in 1947, he could do so with confidence that John Sonderegger could manage the drug stores.

Not only did Mr. Sonderegger manage the business, he also worked tirelessly helping Oscar's campaign for office. When Oscar succeeded to the Governorship in 1944, he called for John Sonderegger to help him craft the affairs of state into a more business-like framework. Rennebohm named Sonderegger to brief terms as State Treasurer and later as Insurance Commissioner. In these capacities, John Sonderegger helped reform the state's fiscal system and saved the state several million dollars.

Most of us would have crumbled under the double burden of state service and business executive. Yet John Sonderegger still found time to devote talent and time to the offices of his church, Bethel Lutheran and to the United Way. No doubt, Mr. Sonderegger sacrificed time with his family and the enjoyment of leisure.

With Oscar's death in 1968, John Sonderegger ­ now recognized as the sole head of the drug stores ­ found his talent more and more in demand. He was called to serve on the Board of Directors of the First Wisconsin Trust Company, the Madison Gas and Electric Company and Edgewood College. In each organization, he was respected and admired for his diligence, shrewdness and good business judgement.

When it appeared that the drug stores were not a large enough chain to compete with other retail giants, Mr. Sonderegger skillfully managed the sale to Walgreen's and was pleased that a majority of his employees were retained by the new owner.

On completion of the sale, John Sonderegger accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Life Insurance Company and helped guide it to merge with a larger company. Having done so, Mr. Sonderegger then turned to conserving his failing health and energy.

When, in 1949, Oscar Rennebohm organized the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, John Sonderegger was named one of the first directors and served with distinction on the Board until his death in 1992. Most of the many grants made during his tenure ­ and especially those to community activities ­ bore his imprints. They were either initiated or strongly supported by him. The Sonderegger Research Center was one of them.