Thomas Smith

It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Thomas R. Smith, age 76, just after midnight on March 17, 2025 after experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Tom was born November 8,1948 in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Betty and Richard Smith. He was the oldest of eight siblings who spent their formative years in Neenah, Wisconsin, and Oswego, New York. Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh as a medical technologist. He was enrolled in graduate school at the University of Cincinnati when he was drafted into service with the US Army during the Vietnam War. Tom was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Tripler Army Medical Center, where he helped to maintain a transfusion clinic and blood bank of rare blood types. Notably, he fell in love with his civilian blood bank supervisor Jeanne and was given the desirable evening work schedules, so they could play tennis and beachcomb during the days. Tom and Jeanne were married in 1974 and celebrated their union at the officer's club on top of Hawaii's Diamond Head. After discharge, the couple returned to Ohio so that Tom could complete his graduate studies in immunohematology. Daughters Julie and Courtney were born shortly after their arrival in Rochester, Minnesota, where Tom had accepted a position as supervisor in the Mayo Clinic blood bank.

Thomas was incredibly proud of the Mayo Clinic mission and its provision of world-class healthcare. From the blood bank, he was promoted to Personnel, and then finally to hospital administration, where he spent most of his career at Mayo. He found his work as an administrator, mentor, and incident commander especially gratifying. He retired in 2010 after 36 years serving the Mayo Clinic community in varied capacities.

Tom was a survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and was living with cardiac amyloidosis. He attributed his survival to the expertise of Mayo's physician providers. At home, he and Jeanne often hosted Mayo patients for extended periods of time while they received life-saving therapies, showing kindness to new friends from near and far even in retirement.

Above all, Tom loved to spend time at home with his family, enjoying the ordinary activities of parenthood. He loved grilling kabobs and family dinners on the treetop deck. He fought an unending and losing war with local raccoons, opossums, deer, and squirrels who would steal his wild bird food and devour their gardens. He enjoyed yard work and home maintenance, especially if it involved a chainsaw or a gas-powered implement. He golfed at sunrise so that he could make his daughters' traveling soccer games. He loved the Motown sound and had a great collection of vinyl. Tom loved pistachios, musical theater, and family vacations to National Parks. He especially loved time with his family at his Forest Lake lake home, though he was not known to be especially adept at docking the family pontoon. Papa Tom never forgot to bring snacks for the grandkids on boat rides.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Betty Smith, as well as his brothers Jim Smith and Peter Smith.

Thomas is survived by his wife of fifty years, Jeanne R. Smith, and their two daughters, Julie (Ryan) Clouse and Courtney (Scott Glew) Smith. He is survived by siblings Catherine (Brian) Hanneman, Paul (Marsha) Smith, Charles Smith, Mike (Connie) Smith, and Mary (Leroy) Matuszak. Tom was gifted with an abundance of grandchildren: Quinn Bull, Adele Clouse, Ethan Bull, Liam Bull, and Leo Clouse; as well as step-grandchildren Natalie Glew and Walden Glew. Of all of his roles, being Papa to seven grandchildren was clearly his proudest. The unwavering care and commitment he provided to his family was nothing short of exemplary.

Tom and Jeanne were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii with the entire family, leaving on the morning of his death. We honored him by all traveling to the place he loved and so badly wanted to see again. We wish to extend our gratitude to Mayo Clinic providers Dr. Thomas Haberman, Dr. Joseph Furst, Dr. Thomas Munger, and Dr. Martha Grogan. The family wishes to thank the first responders who attended to Thomas on March 17. He is loved and missed beyond measure.

Funeral arrangements are through Ranfranz and Vine funeral home. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on May 15th and 9-10 am on May 16th at Ranfranz and Vine. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 16th at 10 am at Ranfranz and Vine, with a luncheon to follow. A private family burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota.

Memorials may be directed to the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Smith family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com