Obit: Smith, Thomas Alan (1950 - 2005)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Smith, Fleischman, Hefko, McVey, Atkinson

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Thu, Nov 3, 2005

Smith, Thomas Alan (9 Sept. 1950 - 24 Oct. 2005)

Thomas A. Smith

ELGIN, Ill. - Thomas Alan Smith, 55, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, while doing what he loved, hiking through the woods on a crisp autumn day.

Tom was born in Marshfield to Robert and Alice (Fleischman) Smith on Sept. 9, 1950. He grew up in the pastoral countryside south of Marshfield, near Klondike Corners.

From his mother, he learned to love music and played several instruments. From his father, he learned to love the wilderness and was an avid hiker. He enjoyed climbing in the Cascade Mountains and scaled Mount Rainier in 1989. He worked side by side with his grandfather, Joseph Fleischman, who was a blacksmith and wheelwright. Tom was particularly proud of the hand-hewn wagon wheels he helped his grandfather create for the Baraboo Circus Museum.

Tom and Mary were married April 27, 1974, at the First Presbyterian Church in Marshfield.

Tom moved with his wife, Mary (Hefko), to Seattle in 1976, where he joined the engineering team of Kenworth Truck Company. He worked for Kenworth for 27 years, playing a role in the introduction of two major innovations, the Kenworth T600 and T2000. He resigned as regional manager of Vocational Trucks for the northeastern quadrant of the United States after 27 years to enjoy semi-retirement and explore other dreams. Tom and his wife were in the process of moving from the Chicago suburb of Elgin to a quieter life on Town Corner Lake in Amberg.

Tom is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary; his three sons, Gabriel (Regan McVey) of Roscoe, Ill., Barry of Orlando, Fla., and Riley of Elgin, Ill.; his two beautiful granddaughters, Emma and Natalia; his sister, Ann (Dan) Atkinson, of Chili; his brother, Steve of Neillsville; and his brother, Paul of Spencer. His parents and his brother, Jim preceded him in death.

Although he died before his planned journeys on earth were complete, he lived a rich life, filled with adventures. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent online to http:rembsfh.com.

*Note obituary is posted because of Mr. Smith’s siblings reside in Clark County, Wis.