Obit: Huebsch, Thomas J. (1952 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Berens, Castillo, Diermeier, Duberstein, Hillman, Huebsch, Rondeau, Schreier, Thomas

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 1/28/2015

Huebsch, Thomas J. (27 JUL 1952 - 17 JAN 2015)

Thomas J. Huebsch, 62, Bremerton, Wash., walked into heaven on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. Tom was met by his loving wife, Nina, and his mother, Helen.

He was born July 27, 1952, in Wausau, son of Irvin and Helen (Mohr) Huebsch. Tom was a 1970 graduate of Marathon High School and joined the United States Navy in 1971. Tom had a highly decorated naval career, serving on the USS Midway, USS Francis Hammond, USS Mars, USS Ticonderoga, and serving on bases both in the U.S. and around the world.

On May 1, 1976, Tom married Saturnina “Nina” Castillo. After being stationed at several different bases, Tom and Nina made their home in Bremerton, Wash. After 25 years of marriage, Nina passed away in December of 2001. On May 1, 2001, Tom retired after 30 years in the United States Navy as a senior chief boiler technician. His second career was a tow truck operator with Chico Towing in Bremerton.

In 2009, Tom was diagnosed with cancer and, due to complications, was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for over six years. Tom was fiercely independent and determined to deal with whatever life handed him. He went on to instruct other paraplegics at the VA Hospital on how to live independently.

Tom was an inspiration to everyone he met. He enjoyed collecting model tractors, books, movies and music. He also was restoring a vintage tractor when his illness confined him to a wheelchair. The tractor pieces were shipped to Wisconsin, and his father, Irvin, finished the restoration.

Tom is survived by his father, Irvin Huebsch, Marathon; seven sisters, Patricia (Paul) Rondeau, Mosinee, Joanne (Russ) Berens, Edgar, Kathy (Mark) Schreier, Edgar, Rose Ann Huebsch, Marathon, Mary Jo (Paul) Thomas, Wausau, Julie (David) Hillman, Athens, and Jean Duberstein, Antigo; four brothers, David (Kathy) Huebsch, Jupiter, Fla., Michael (Joyce) Huebsch, Marathon, Fred (Sue) Huebsch, Marathon, and Allen (Jane) Huebsch, Edgar; 35 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and many other friends and relatives. He is also survived by good friends, Mike, Jason, Lynn and Albert from Bremerton, Wash.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Nina; and mother, Helen.

The funeral mass and celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Edgar, and the American Legion, Edgar. Friends may call on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the Seattle VA., Dr. Steven Burns and the entire staff at the Spinal Cord Injury Unit for the outstanding care they extended to Tom.