Allen Lee Aschoff of Milwaukee died Sunday, December 20, 2009, at the age of 60. Survived by his wife Suzanne (nee Brown), daughters Laurel (Zachery) Heebsh and Heather Aschoff. Lee was born January 8, 1949, and grew up in Middletown, New York. He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he discovered journalism and worked for 24 years for daily newspapers in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. This included 16 years at the Milwaukee Sentinel, first as a state reporter, then covering local courts and federal courts, and then as the Food Editor for ten years. Lee joined Mensa in 1978. His wife, Suzanne, joined in 1971. He was the Managing Editor of Reminisce Magazine from 2000 to 2009. Lee's interests included books and reading, camping, nature photography, cooking, cultural and natural history, travel and antiques. Memorials appreciated to Leukemia Research Foundation, National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) or our Wisconsin State Parks.

For more please visit the Journal -Sentinel obit page.

 "We remember laughing at the Gourmet SIG dinner table, rice balls too hard to bite. The all-brown meal. Sharing jackfruit at a recent party. His newspaper column. He left us early this morning, but his memory will remain."

"As a member of the Mensa Gourmet Group, I dined with Suzy and Lee Aschoff every other month for years. We could always depend on Lee for good food advice and interesting recipes. But the place he REALLY shined was at the table: clever, witty, smart, and approachable. It was a pleasure to be seated with him and share his enthusiasm for charming conversation and exquisite food. He was truly an asset to the group and a joy to be with."

"He died with grace and dignity, I only hope I can be that strong when my time comes."

"There are two items that, when I use them, remind me of Lee's culinary skill and friendship. They are Nutmeg and Ginger. Nutmeg reminds me of his demo at the State Fair Wisconsin products building. He was commenting on the need to use fresh herbs and spices. He grated a whole nutmeg and passed the plate around the audience for us to sample. I had never had fresh grated nutmeg. That taste was absolutely unforgettable.
Fresh Ginger reminds me of a Gourmet SIG dinner at the Aschoff house. Lee made a ginger ice cream that is, to this day, the best dessert ever served. That wonderful flavor of fresh ginger still makes my mouth water."

"I didn't know his first name was Allen. To me he was Lee. He looked like a "Lee"."

"I remember his big smile and gentle laugh."

"He was a character - he could be very curmudgeonly - but he could identify the most heart-warming material and knew what our readers liked."

"I was standing next to Lee and we were watching judges cut and taste samples of the competitors' Irish Soda Breads. As soon as they cut and tasted mine, they quickly shoved the loaf over to the "loser" side of the table. Lee looked at me and said "Well, looks like I won't be coming over to your house for dinner anytime soon." Hilarity ensued."

"Lee was a colorful and fascinating character with a boundless curiosity that drove him to try to learn about almost everything. Nothing escaped his attention."