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Thomas Stevens Van Alyea Jr.

1928 - 2013

Thomas Stevens Van Alyea Jr. obituary, 1928-2013, Milwaukee, WI

Thomas Van Alyea Obituary

Van Alyea, Thomas Stevens Jr.

""WIND BORN ORANGE & UMBER STREAK
SAILING LEAF? OR
A MONARCH HEADING HOME"" T.S.V.

September 20, 2013. Poet, environmentalist, visionary, humanitarian, loving husband, father, and grandfather. Born in Milwaukee on April 18, 1928, Tom attended Country Day, St. John's Military Academy, The Lawrenceville School (1947), University of Wisconsin, Madison (1951) and the Thunderbird School (1957). Tom served as a First Lieutenant and Forward Observer in the Korean War, 1953 (H Btry 49th Field Artillery Bn).

He joined his architect father in preservation and real estate development. Tom was one of the founders of the Water Tower Landmark Trust and active with population/pollution causes in groups including ZPG, Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Friends of the Earth, PPWI and Riveredge.

Survived by his wife of 51 years, Patricia; daughter Stephanie; son Alby; daughter-in-law Ginny; son-in-law John; and granddaughters Victoria and Isobel.

Graveside service for family. The family extends gratitude to relatives, friends and caregivers for their support. In lieu of flowers donations to PPWI or the Urban Ecology center.

""What sad Irony that a man so gifted with language would at the end of his life end up without the facility for it."" Elizabeth Berg

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sep. 22, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Van Alyea

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THOMAS VAN ALYEA,JR. WAS MY BROTHER-IN LAW. TOM WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO ME. IN MY YOUNGER YEARS, I BABYSAT FOR STEPHANIE AND ALBY DURING THE SUMMER. TOM TAUGHT ME HOW TO DRIVE, AS HE PUT IT IN THE BIG METROPOLIS OF MILWAUKEE. TOM TAUGHT ME HOW TO SELECT A "GREAT" BOOK AND TOOK ME ON AN ADVENTURE OF PREPARING AND ENJOYING MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD. TOM LOVED TO COOK FOR EVERYONE. TOM DID SHOW ME WHERE HE WOULD GET HIS PURIFIED WATER. TOM TOOK ME ON HIS SAILBOAT WHERE WE ALMOST TURNED OVER. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED CHRISTMAS WITH TOM BECAUSE HE WAS SO VERY MUCH FUN. HE IS MISSED

April 4, 2014

Dear Family of Thomas Alyea,
I did not have the privilege of knowing him but his haiku poetry quoted in the notice was so beautiful I had to share it with my family.

Jeannette Mazur

September 30, 2013

To the Family,
I did not know Thomas Stevens Van Alyea but wish I had.
His lovely haiku poetry is being shared with my family on Facebook.

Jeannette Mazur

September 30, 2013

Dear Mrs Van Alyea, Stephanie and Alby: I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Van Alyea's passing. My thoughts are with you. I have the most wonderful memories of Mr Van Alyea and your family. Peace - Liz De Leeuw

September 27, 2013

Pat, I did not know Tom, probably only met Tom once or twice, however I respect his accomplishments in life.
Gary L. Krieger

September 23, 2013

Native Prayer for Tom's Spirit Eternal...
I give you this one thought to keep
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush,
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft starts that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still in each new dawn.....

jennifer connor

September 23, 2013

Dearest Pat,Alby and Stephanie, my sincerest condolences on the loss of Mr VanAlyea, he was like an eternal snowflake- beautiful, glistening, gentle and one of a kind- he put smiles on our faces and springs in our step. He will always be one of my most favorite people on the planet and will feel his presence through nature so strong. Heaven certainly is shining way brighter with him there and will feel his radiance always through the sun. All my love to you dear Van Alyeas and bigest hugs, Jennifer Connor

jennifer connor

September 23, 2013

Hi Pat, I am sorry for your loss and wish you peace and strength to work through all that is ahead of you. Sending love and kind thoughts for you and your family.
Ann Graf

Ann Graf

September 22, 2013

Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Thomas-I was lucky enough to have been a tenant of his years ago on Prospect Ave--he was always a gentleman and quite knowledgeable about the history of the property---

Kevin Larkin

September 22, 2013

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