Contributions to the tribute of Thomas John Gedemer

R

Rich Chiapete posted a condolence

Friday, January 28, 2022

So sorry to hear. I'm thinking of all of you! Rich Chiapete

B

Brian Gedemer posted a condolence

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Uncle Tom, always has a sense of knowledge about him. Never boastful until you inquired and when you inquired you always got an answer that was not what you expected. An answer that brought more insight to the topic. My earily memories start at the dining room table at grandpas house. Everyone had a special spot they sat. I remember eber the early conversations the family had. In hindsight in reminds me of a sit-com. I recall the 3 pillars of the Gedemer family, Tom, my dad and Grandpa. Between the 3 of them there was an incredible amount of knowledge. This ties to being proud to be a Gedemer, because the heritage ties to knowledge. Tom continued this persona after the other 2 passed. Not sure how you come across looking intelligent without doing or saying anything but Tom pulled the it off. I always liked the off the wall topicTom would bring up, I would always pick up a tidbit that I didn’t have before. No subject was taboo, Tom would bring up thing you never heard before or presented new aspects to an old topic. Always presenting thing in scientific manner (making all subjects sound normal until you digested what he said). Tom would find some time relate to you, he would chose his moments. Even as kids, when we went to Tom & Kathie’s Tom would normally come to do something with us kids (normally a few hours after we got there). He would pull out the basketball or participate in other games to relate to everyone. One of his passions that I remember him talking about is mentoring program. I was surprised how much passion he had for this. How much he wanted to share his knowledge of how the world works with others. This is where Tom separates from just having knowledge to wanting others to expand on the knowledge he has. Thanks Uncle Tom for being different.

T

Tom Tobin planted a tree in memory of Thomas Gedemer

Sunday, January 16, 2022

With my deepest sympathies Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

T

Tom Tobin posted a condolence

Sunday, January 16, 2022

I am very saddened to hear about the recent loss of Tom. I had the opportunity to work with Tom for his last years at S&C while he was responsible for the Analytical Laboratories. Nominally I was his supervisor, but Tom provided me with more guidance, education, and direction than I offered him. He had a clear philosophy about laboratory operations, and he took the time to educate me about it. He had a style of convincing you that everything had to be done correctly, and you willing cooperated. Your work was important both for yourself and for the company. I have never seen anyone so organized with his work and time, and I wished I could have learned just how he did it. He honestly had an interest in seeing associates advance in their careers. He always had the patience to listen to my job challenges and provide straightforward suggestions on handling them. More impressively, he volunteered to coach other supervisors in their roles, and he made significant improvements in their skills. The world has lost a truly outstanding individual. I send my deepest sympathies to Kathie and the rest of the family. May he rest in peace. Tom Tobin

C

Cathy Anderson planted a tree in memory of Thomas Gedemer

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

With heartfelt condolences, Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

C

Cathy Anderson uploaded photo(s)

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Tom was the most honest, boss, mentor, friend I’ve ever had. I didn’t know the day I met him, applying for a job in the Analytical Lab, that I met someone someone special who would change my life. It seems like yesterday, not more than 30 years ago. I met a lot of people at S&C at that point, but none like Tom. I was drawn to him. I liked him right away. The way he asked me non-threatening questions in my interview. The way he showed no judgment in my answers. I loved that I made him laugh, I can’t remember why, just that I have a clear memory of his short chuckle and smile through his pipe that smelled so good to me. Tom hired me. I didn’t know then, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned so much in that Analytical Lab. Tom taught me so much. He brought me into the world of science. The life lessons from working in that lab propelled me into a different thinker, observer, conversationalist and worker. I remember those days where I’d sit in Tom’s office, being summoned for one thing or another, and having conversations drift into something philosophical or topics like abortion rights, or race divide, women’s rights or how to be a decent human being. Tom’s kindness, and soft expression made me so comfortable. I would look forward everyday when he would walk up to my desk with his banana and cup of granola with a question for the day! Sometimes the question would be as simple as “how was your weekend? Or “have you ever seen the Wife, The Cook, The Thief & The Lover?” (weirdest movie of all times by the way!) “Dr. Who”? Other times it would be something like “ did you hear about the Aurora Borealis?” And I’d say “ what’s that?’” And without judgement or degradation, Tom would explain. This happened all the time, so I learned I could always ask him questions without the fear of feeling stupid. I always got honest answers. I’ve been grateful for that. The tasks and projects Tom had me work on set me up for my career. 3-day material taught me time management and to prioritize. Running the X-Ray, AA or other instruments taught me that I could follow directions, learn and execute tasks. I never knew I was smart enough to do this. Tom was confident I could. He trusted me to run the tests and report the results truthfully. This was huge. This was the first time I felt I was contributing to the products that S&C made. Writing specifications helped me understand the value of writing clear, precise and methodical. This was extremely valuable to me when I needed to write guides for Oracle. I knew exactly how to write them and most of them are still in use to this day. Tom worked long and hard on my writing skills. I still have Tom’s voice in my head when I write long, run-on sentences (“chop these sentences into smaller ones” he’d say to me. “you can re-write a sentence many times until it says exactly what you want it to say” I could write more “voice in my head” Tom quotes, but the list is endless. I also learned how to deal with many folks wanting something from me at the same time. I learned somethings by simply observing him in the same situation, but he also coached me to be kind, patient and do one thing at a time….try not to get frustrated. This served me so well in IT! I was pulled in a million directions every day for over 20 years, and Tom’s advice and wisdom got me through and set me up for a pretty good reputation at work. Cleaning glassware on a daily basis taught me that however menial the task might be, however boring or mundane the task might be, it’s still important. I remember Tom explained to me that if the glassware was not clean, the experiment could give false results. False results could lead to our equipment failing. Equipment failing could lead to law suite or very unhappy customers. My point? He made my job sound so important. That my work made a difference even if it was just cleaning glassware. He’ll never know how much that meant to me. Tom put me in charge of the Laboratory budget. Again trusting that I was capable of handling a million dollar Laboratory budget! The skills I learned from projecting the Lab budget to maintaining and reporting on the budget set me up in my personal life as well. To this day I have my Excel spreadsheet with graphs and colors to keep me on track. I know what I’ve spent, and how much I’ll probably spend in the future. A true life lesson that served me well. The summer parties at Tom and Kathies house were legend. The brats, beer, & boule! Epic!!! At these parties I got to know Kathie, whom I’ve adored since the day I met her. In a way, I have Tom to thank for my wife and partner of 30 years. Tom sent me to Catapult Word and Excel classes where I first met Merri. After taking a couple of classes at S&C, I ran into her at a gay bar on Montrose. We struck up a conversation and that was that! So you see, if Tom never required me to take those classes, I might be a lonely old spinster! Once I left the Lab, Tom became my official Mentor. Our mentoring sessions morphed to therapy sessions, where Tom helped me with more life lessons, like how to navigate the politics of S&C. Tom’s advice was always sound and helpful. Tom’s guidance gave me confidence, and a sense of strength that helped me through my IT years. Then our mentoring\therapy turned into one of the best friendships I’ve had in my lifetime. So happy that we could continue to talk on a biweekly basis after him and Kathie moved to Tuson. It’s a constant in my life that always pulled me back to earth and made me happy and content and feel centered no matter how out of wack I may have felt. Tom was very important in my life. He made such a difference. I don’t think I’d be the person I am today, were it not for Tom. I pray for Kathie and the kids. I send my most heart felt condolences

D

The family of Thomas John Gedemer uploaded a photo

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Thomas John Gedemer

1937 - 2022

Plant a tree in memory of Thomas

Thomas John Gedemer

1937 - 2022

Plant a tree in memory of Thomas

​ (​520) 201-1130​​

(520) 201-1130