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Thomas H. Corbin

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University of Illinois

Thomas Corbin Obituary

Corbin, Thomas H.
85, passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2012 with his wife Shirley and his caregiver, Rebecca Pak, by his side. He was born November 6, 1927 in Rochester, NY to Robert M. and Lucile (Liggett) Corbin. He is survived by wife Shirley, beloved beagle Sonny; sons David (Meena) and Ted (Sandra); daughters Karin, Catherine, and Marjorie; grandchildren Preeya, Brian, Morgan, Connor, Andrea; and great grandchild, Milo; sisters Mary, and Margaret, and predeceased by brother, Robert. Tom graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and embarked on a career in medical electronics where he was a pioneer in developing the first defibrillator and other medical electronic products. After retiring from the medical electronics field, he and Shirley relocated to Maui, Hawaii where he was a successful commercial real estate developer. After his second retirement to Scottsdale, Arizona, he became a successful, published author. Inventor, entrepreneur, executive, and author, Tom's wisdom, humor, and soft words will be truly missed by many. Memorial Service will be held at a future date.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Dec. 12, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Corbin

14 Entries

Karin

December 6, 2023

11 years mister.... we sure do miss you. Well, Sonny is with you now so he's happy! Mom is loving her work at GW - I know you get a big laugh out of that!! I'm doing the real estate thing now, oh how I wish you were here - I could sure use your unwavering encouragement and expertise! I just always stop and think - what would Tom do....

Candy Harding

August 10, 2023

I worked for Tom and Shirley when I lived on Maui at the Boxcars converted into offices in Kahului. They both were the nicest two people I ever worked for. Tom was such a kind gentle soul and and Shirley was an awesome boss to me. They both treated me well and I left an impression on me.

Rebecca Pak

December 6, 2019

Many times I think of Thomas it was a pleasure to be around.

Rebecca Pak

January 3, 2013

Tom Corbin was a mentor and a positive man in my life. So glad I had a part in his care,and got to meet his wife Shirley and dog Sonny. It was a pleasure to be a part of his Life and to care for him.

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Janet Quetschenbach Wojtas

December 23, 2012

My husband has a defibrillator. I just wanted to say thankyou. to Mr Corbin for helping to develope it and saving his life. My deepest sympathy to his family.

Bill Draper

December 17, 2012

Tom Corbin was one of the most important men in modern medical history. THE EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR has saved millions of lives since he
invented and delivered it. I was lucky enough to have backed Tom with the very first venture capital investment of my career. He was a pleasure to deal with and a truly fine man.
With sincere sympathy to Tom's family.
Bill Draper

December 14, 2012

Tom was my big brother. He loved music and could play his saxaphone. As I grew up he had moved on to go away to High School and College. When he lived in California our children got to know each other and we spent more time visiting.In these last years it has been hard to see Tom so restricted by his illness. Our family has been fortunate to have Shirley as his guardian angel. We will be ever grateful that he was able to stay in his home and cared for. Love Margaret

December 14, 2012

Although I did not know Tom well I do know that he was a wonderful man. Shirley will have lots of warm memories of her dear husband. I know that she and Sonny will miss Tom terribly.
Sue Henderson

December 14, 2012

Tom and Shirley are two of the most fine people we know, and we will miss Tom very much. Bill Teeters and John Strobel

December 14, 2012

Tom lived all the stages of his life to the fullest. He's a model for all of us to follow. Comfort for Shirley & Sonny.
Mary Lou Luvisa

December 13, 2012

I will love you til the day I die. Sonny looks for you every day. I tell him you are still in our hearts. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. We will celebrate your life every day.

Shirley & Sonny Corbin

Karin Wiseman

December 12, 2012

I will miss all those hours of chats with Tom; all those esoteric, philosophical discussions! I will miss his absolutely unwavering support and his belief that I can accomplish anything... Not a single day now has gone by where I don't think how glad I am that I spoke to him on his birthday. He was the most lucid he's been since he's been ill; I think he was waiting to have our last chat! I love you Tom and will miss you. Don't worry, I'll take care of Shirley and Sonny!! Love, Karin