An oral history interview with Frank Aukofer

              WISCONSIN
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
An Oral History Interview with
FRANK AUKOFER
Interviewer: .Anita Hecht, Life History Services
Recording Date: November 21, 2008
Place: Falls Church, Virginia. Length: 2.0 hours
Frank A. Aukofer was born in Milwaukee, the oldest child of Herbert and Wanda Aukofer. In
1953, he graduated from Messmer High School and started as an apprentice compositor at
Wisconsin Cuneo Press. While working and becoming a journeyman, Aukofer attended
Marquette University College of Journalism, as well as serving as co-editor of the Marquette
Tribune, earning his BA degree in 1960.
Following graduation, Aukofer started as a general assignment reporter for The Milwaukee
Journal. In 1964, he was assigned to the civil rights beat and covered the Selma March, the
assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, the Detroit riots, and the Milwaukee open
housing marches.
Later, Aukofer joined The Milwaukee Journal's Washington Bureau, working with many elected
officials, including Sen. William Proxmire. He reported on Sen. Proxmire's and Sen. Gaylord
Nelson's opposition to the proposed federal spending during Congress' Supersonic Transport
debates.
Following Sen. Proxmire's retirement in 1989, Aukofer updated constituents about the Senator's
challenges with Alzheimer's disease.