Gordon Feinberg was born in La Crosse on Sept. 18, 1915, the son of Jewish parents. Feinberg grew up at 1614 Badger St. in the heart of "Goosetown," a neighborhood where the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse now stands. "Gordy," as he was called by close associates, attended Central High School, College of Commerce (in La Crosse), La Crosse Vocational & Adult School, and the La Crosse State Teachers' College. His enthusiasm to be involved in community affairs led him to become a free lance writer, covering county affairs for the Press and Radio Service Agency.
He was elected to the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors in 1949 and remained active for 32 years. To date, Feinberg holds the most consecutive years as a member of the Board. He chaired the administration committee and served as a member of the financial and personnel committee. When he was first elected, Feinberg represented the 16th District. Due to redistricting in the 1980s, Feinberg became the representative of the 2nd District.
Feinberg has been labeled as a "fiscal conservative" who believed government spending could be successfully controlled at the local level only if state and federal government mandates were eliminated. During his tenure, he watched the number of county employees and the county budget grow. In 1949 there were 220 county employees; by 1981 that number had increased to 881. County services also grew dramatically from $1.1 million to $16.7 million during the same period.
Board chairman Charles Pierce said Feinberg's greatest contribution to the Board was his "honesty." He retired from county government in 1982.
Feinberg and his childhood friend Delores Reichelt owned and operated Sanitary Supply Co. and Sansco, located in the forth block of S. Third St. They were partners in business for 33 years, retiring in 1981.
Feinberg was also active in many local civic organizations, such as the La Crosse Businessmen's Club, the Southside Businessmen's Club, the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, and the La Crosse County Historical Society.
Feinberg died of lung cancer April 25, 1990, in La Crosse. He was never married and left no children.
