Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services
http://www.cstonefs.com
Fish throughout the state of Wisconsin rejoiced at news of the passing of their arch nemesis, Donald Otto Thom, of Beaver Dam. Don died at home on October 7, 2023 from complications of acute myeloid leukemia, with his family at his side. He was 82 years old.
Don was born on July 18, 1941, in Janesville, the first son of Henry Paul Thom and Doris (Schumacher) Thom. He and his brother Paul and sister Patricia grew up surrounded by family in Janesville's close-knit Monterey neighborhood. It was there, on the banks of the Rock River, that he developed his life-long passion for fishing.
After graduating from Janesville High School in 1959, Don attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and a teaching certificate in 1964. He was an accomplished clarinetist, the only non-music major to play first chair in the University's concert band. When he wasn't playing music, he spent his free time playing cards and table tennis, and reveling in fraternity life. Fortunately, Don met fellow student and future soulmate Sue Simmons in 1963, and the two were married on August 22, 1964.
From 1964 until his retirement in 1998, Don was an educator. He spent most of his career at Beaver Dam High School, where he impacted thousands of students in his Literature and Composition, College Prep, and Science Fiction and Humor classes. During his years at BDHS, Don was a proud member of the teachers' union, where he served in a variety of local and state leadership positions.
Outside the classroom, Don's priorities were family and fishing - often both at once. He was an accomplished fisherman, as evidenced by the many trout and walleye mounted on the walls of his den. His favorite and most frequent fishing buddies were his parents and his Uncle George (Geo) Thom. Whether they were ice fishing on Long Lake, walking the trout streams of LaFayette and Richland Counties, or trolling for walleye on the Wisconsin River, they loved spending time together, communing with nature and competing to see who could bring in the biggest catch. Apparently, the fishing gene skipped a generation, but nothing made Don happier in his later years than nurturing his grandson Rowan's love of the sport.
Don leaves behind his beloved wife Sue of Beaver Dam; sister Patricia Thom of Janesville; daughter Sara Thom (Marc Hanes) of Maplewood, NJ; son David Thom of Portage; and grandchildren Peter and Eleanor Agress of Maplewood; Crystal, Amber, and Rowan Thom of Portage; and Matthew Webb of Madison.
Don received extraordinary care throughout his illness from Dr. Ryan Mattison and his hematology/oncology team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Carbone Cancer Center, and in his final weeks, from the exceptional nursing staff at Hillside Hospice in Beaver Dam. His family will be forever grateful.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Don's life on Saturday, October 14 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Boulevard, Beaver Dam, WI. A memorial gathering will take place from 10:00 am until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 am, and will be followed by a luncheon at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Don's memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Carbone Cancer Center, Hillside Hospice, or Wisconsin Public Radio.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family's guest book at www.cstonefs.com.
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