David Fantle, who helped create one of Milwaukee’s most popular – and debated – tourist attractions, the Bronze Fonz statue on the city’s RiverWalk, has died.
Fantle died on April 21 at age 66, according to a statement from Marquette University, where he served as an adjunct professor in the Diedrich College of Communication. Fantle had taught media writing, film and popular culture classes at the university since 2009.
The Marquette Wire, a student-run news site, reported that Fantle died after a “medical incident,” as noted in an email from College of Communication Dean Sarah Feldner.
“Losing Professor Fantle is a blow for our whole college,” Feldner said in a statement. “While we are grieving his loss, we are gratified to know that the impact he made on hundreds of students will live on well into the future. He will be sorely missed.”
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An announcement from the university notes that Fantle taught more than 1,200 students across dozens of classes. He was a recipient of the dean’s award for part-time faculty members in the College of Communication in the spring of 2025.
In addition to his time with Marquette, Fantle worked in marketing and communication for 40 years, including at Wisconsin Gas, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the United Performing Arts Fund and Visit Milwaukee.
“While his time with us was years ago, his connection to Milwaukee – and our team – never faded,” Visit Milwaukee stated in a social media post. “He remained a champion for the city, always sharing ideas, stories and newsworthy moments that helped keep Milwaukee in the spotlight.”
In pushing for the Bronze Fonz statue while at Visit Milwaukee, Fantle faced some backlash for his unconventional idea. But the statue depicting Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli of Milwaukee-set sitcom “Happy Days” has since become an enduring symbol of fun and nostalgia in the city.
“That was David – unafraid to push for something he believed would bring joy,” Visit Milwaukee said.
In honor of Winkler’s 80th birthday in 2025, Fantle spoke at a Visit Milwaukee event held at the statue, which included a video message from the actor. Fantle was also a frequent speaker on cruise ships and at retirement facilities, presenting on subjects ranging from television’s favorite sleuths to the Golden Age stars of Hollywood.
He co-authored the 2018 book Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends. The book includes profiles of silver screen luminaries such as Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds and George Burns. Fantle and his co-author and friend, Tom Johnson, personally met with every person they included in the book.
In 2023, Fantle and Johnson published C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock, which chronicled the story of Judy Garland’s final film at MGM.
Fantle earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1983. In the 1990s, he served as one of the youngest-ever elected officials in the village of Bayside, where he continued to reside.
Fantle is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cathy, his children Grace, Madeline, and Max, and his four grandchildren, as well as his mother, Betty, and older brother, Phillip. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Fantle, a Holocaust survivor.
The family will hold a funeral at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, at Congregation Sinai (8223 N. Port Washington Rd.), followed by interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Shiva services will be held Thursday night and Saturday night in Milwaukee and next week in the Minneapolis area.
