Thomas H. Fehring

About the Author: THOMAS H. FEHRING, P.E. I am an engineer by training and practice, having worked for thirty-five years at “keeping the lights on” at Wisconsin Energy Corporation and its various subsidiaries. Earlier in my career, I also worked at Falk Corporation, Briggs & Stratton and Ford Motor Company. I was born and grew up in Milwaukee in the shadows of the A.O. Smith factory near 35th and Capitol Drive. I attended Marquette University and attained bachelor and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering. Along the way, I married and my wife Suzan and I raised three children. I consider myself an accidental historian. I didn’t really enjoy history in school because of the rote memorization of events and dates that was generally required. But early in my engineering career one of my supervisors helped to “plant the seed” that led to my fascination with industrial history. He encouraged me to give back to my profession by volunteering. Forty years later, industrial archeology and historic preservation continues to be an important parts of my life. My foray into writing started after my retirement. I have published three books on the history of the Village of Whitefish Bay, and two books about Milwaukee’s industrial heritage. My hope is that these books will help the preserve the history of the Milwaukee area.