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THOMAS SHEDD Obituary

Thomas Clark Shedd, 93, of Evanston, formerly of Wilmette, June 2. Born in Phoenixville, PA, on June 2, 1918, to Mary Margaret Campbell and Thomas Clark Shedd, he grew up in Urbana, IL, where his father taught at the University of Illinois College of Engineering. He attended University High School and received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in Railway Electrical Engineering in 1940. After his graduation, he worked briefly as an associate editor of Telephony, a magazine for the independent telephone industry, then accepted a position on a railroad detector car for the Association of American Railroads. He traveled all over the United States for more than nine years, checking for defective rails. In 1951, he accepted a job with Modern Railroads that allowed him to combine his interest in and knowledge of railroads with his writing skills. During his tenure as editor-in-chief at that publication, he and his colleagues received several Jesse H. Neal Awards for editorial and graphic excellence. After his retirement in 1983, he continued to contribute editorial material to railroad publications. He was proud to receive the Max Beberman Distinguished Alumni Award from University High School in 2005. He was also a member of Triangle engineering fraternity. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Elizabeth Noderer, and his second wife, Mary Cooper Ammerman. He is survived by daughters Jean Shedd (Pulak Dutta), Margaret Wieboldt (the late Raymond III), Janet Shedd (David Hafley); step-son George Ammerman (Yvonne); brother Milton (Phyllis) of New Jersey; sister Harriet Pfister (the late Richard) of Indiana; and grandsons Ian Hafley and Tom Hafley. The family wishes to thank Tom's many devoted caregivers of Foster Pavilion at Presbyterian Homes. A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025. Arrangements by N.H. Scott & Hanekamp, 847-998-1020.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 5, 2011.

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December 7, 2011

Tom was my mentor at Modern Railroads from when I joined the staff in July, 1980, until I took over for Tom as editor in July, 1983. We spent many pleasant hours over lunch at the Chicago Traffic Club. I often told Tom that he had forgotten more about railroads and railroading that I would ever know, but Tom was always too humble to accept my praise. His insightful mind may have been stilled, but what he has written lives on.

Margaret Shedd Wieboldt

June 6, 2011

Here's the rest of the story. . .Dad loved classical music, and was a hi-fi buff. His classic album collection numbered over 2000, his classical CD collection over 200. He loved railroads and trains, and rode 1000s of miles for both professional and personal travel. He was interested in cameras and photography, and kept meticulous records of the photographs he took, from 1938 onward. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He faced his last difficult years with courage, and without complaint. He will be greatly missed.

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