TOM THACH Obituary

Jan 3, 1937 - July 1, 2014 ST LOUIS, MO William Thomas Thach, Jr., 77, died on Tuesday in St. Louis. A memorial sing-along and sharing of stories was held on July 5, 2014, and a second memorial service will be held in St. Louis on August 2, 2014. Tom was born in Oklahoma City on January 3, 1937, to Mary Elizabeth Edwards and William Thomas Thach; he was the oldest of four children. He graduated from Casady School, Princeton University as an undergraduate, and Harvard University School of Medicine. Tom married Emily Otis on June 12, 1963, and they had three children. They divorced in 1980. Tom was a pioneering researcher on the function of the cerebellum, a part of the brain responsible for coordination of movement. He was recognized internationally for his scientific contributions. He was a beloved mentor and friend to many neuroscience post-docs. He and his brothers all worked at Washington University. Tom loved hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting, reading literature and poetry, hosting feasts of wild game, and playing music with family, friends, and post-docs in his band Taum Sauk. He is survived by three siblings, Bob (Sigrid) Thach, Brad (Barb) Thach, both of St. Louis; and Maychai (Grant) Brown, of Montreal, Quebec; three children, Sarah (Dizy) Thach, of Asheville NC; Will Thach and Scott Thach, both of Los Angeles; and three grandchildren, Otis, Miles, and Rustin Walton-Thach, of Asheville, NC. He was a cherished uncle of Katy Thach, Ed Thach, Chris (Tracy) Thach, Liz (Tom) Miles, Mary (Alex) Chin, Susanna Thach, Annie (Mat) Wood, and Rob (Lili) Brown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: The Peter Halstead Hudgens Award, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 1247, 7425 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105.

Published by Oklahoman on Jul. 8, 2014.
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I was so saddened to just learn yesterday about Tom's passing and my prayers and condolences to his entire family! Tom added not only wit and charisma to all who were blessed to have befriended him, but his indomitable stories always kept you starving for more. The singalongs were unique because of Tom . Arrrr, Good night matey.... Lovely wonderful Tom. All my love

Debry La Near

July 14, 2014

Condolences from your Nashville cousins to all Tomaso's immediate family.

Tisha Stokes

July 12, 2014

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