Founding partner of DeWitt Ross & Stevens dies

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Attorney Jack DeWitt, one of the founding partners of Madison-based DeWitt Ross & Stevens SC, died Tuesday night of natural causes at his home, according to firm marketing director Michelle Friedman.

He was 93.

DeWitt formed DeWitt Porter in the 1950s and merged with Ross & Stevens in 1994 to form the full-service firm that now has 86 attorneys and offices in Milwaukee and Madison.

The 1942 University of Wisconsin Law School graduate practiced business, and trusts and estates law for more than 60 years.

He continued to practice well into his 80s, according to Friedman, and had primarily served as a firm consultant prior to his death.

During his career, DeWitt served as acting district attorney for Dane County, chairman of the Advisory Committee of the State Department of Veterans Affairs, as a member of the Dane County Veterans Commission and chairman of the City of Madison Municipal Development Committee.

He was also assistant division commander of the 84th Division of the United States Army. After law school he joined the Army during the height of World War II in 1942.

DeWitt was awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross in 1944, as well as the Purple Heart when he was wounded in action during the Battle of the Bulge, according to Friedman.