Earl William Wyman

Class of 1917: OshKosh B’Gosh

Through a friendship forged at Ripon College, Earl W. Wyman became a business executive with OshKosh B’Gosh and gave back to his Oshkosh and Ripon communities.

He was born Aug. 2, 1894, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At Ripon, he studied chemistry. He was an all-conference center in basketball for four years, captain of the 1915 championship basketball team and its leading scorer. In football, he was an all-conference quarterback and captain of the 1916 team, and set the college football dropkick record. He also was an outstanding performer on the track team.

His senior yearbook praised him: “‘Ich’ is tall and speedy and is very hard to tackle. His kicking ability was far superior to any opponent this season. He is recognized as one of the best kickers in the Middle West.”

He went on to officiate at high school and college basketball and football games and tournaments from 1919-1939 and was one of the first officials of the National Football League (NFL), officiating in Green Bay and Chicago. Ripon College’s Wyman Gymnasium was named in his honor in 1968.

After Ripon, Wyman fought in World War I and attained the rank of lieutenant. After returning to Oshkosh, he became one of the founders of American Legion Post 70 to assist other returning veterans.

He was selling insurance when a friend from his Ripon days, Samuel N. Pickard, suggested a business partnership. Pickard was a banker and a longtime Trustee of Ripon College. Together, they purchased Oshkosh Overall Co. in 1934, a company that had been founded in 1895 and was known primarily for selling denim overalls. Pickard, a Neenah banker, was the finance partner, and Wyman was the managing partner.

The company, now called OshKosh B’Gosh, saw great growth, expanding from a small regional men’s workwear manufacturer to a nationwide, prominent, high quality workwear manufacturer.

During World War II and the Korean War, OshKosh B’Gosh produced garments for the military, including pants, jungle suits and underwear.

Wyman also was a director of First Wisconsin Bank from 1938-1964.

Samuel N. Pickard turns the first shovel of earth for the J. M. Storzer Physical Education Center at Ripon College. Observers included Earl W. Wyman, seen just over Pickard’s shoulder to the right in the photo.

Wyman was a strong supporter of the community and children’s causes, and the Oshkosh Boy’s and Girl’s Club gym is named the Earl Wyman Gym.

He remained a lifelong supporter of Ripon College, served as a Trustee from 1935-1974 and an honorary life trustee from 1974. He received Ripon’s Distinguished Alumni Citation in 1951 and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985.

His son, Thomas R. Wyman, Class of 1950, also served as a Trustee of Ripon College. His grandson, William Frederick Wyman, is a member of the Class of 1980.

Earl W. Wyman remained chairman of the board of OshKosh B’Gosh until he died Aug. 15, 1978, at age 84.