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Thomas H. Caine M.D.

1931 - 2018

Thomas H. Caine M.D. obituary, 1931-2018

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Larkin Sunset Lawn - Salt Lake City

2350 E 1300 S

Salt Lake City, Utah

Thomas Caine Obituary

1931 ~ 2018
Thomas H. Caine, MD - husband, father, grandfather and physician - passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 6, 2018 following an extended illness. Tom died as he lived-with patience, faith and dignity.
Tom was born January 20, 1931 in Pocatello, Idaho, the youngest of four children born to Gladys Wright Smith and Arthur Hugh Caine. Two years later, the family moved to Boise where Tom enjoyed a happy childhood. He admired and cherished his older siblings and their spouses, Helen (Schlofman), Barbara (Scowcroft) and Dixon. He remained close to them and their families throughout his life.
Tom attended the University of Utah from 1949-1953, graduating with a degree in Economics. While at the U, he joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, serving as chapter president and forming lifelong friendships. As an ROTC graduate, he went on to serve as an officer in the Air Force from 1954-1956.
After returning to the U to complete his medical school prerequisites, mutual friends introduced him to Mary Ellen Barnes of Washington, DC. The two married on July 27, 1959 in the Logan, Utah Temple and moved into a little home on University Street. Tom began medical school at the University of Utah that fall.
Following an internship at the University of Oklahoma and residency at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Caine was recruited back to the University of Utah, where he served first as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs of the Medical School and then as Chief of the newly formed Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Caine spent his entire 46-year career at the University, caring for patients and helping to mentor the next generation of physicians.
Tom was one of the lucky few who discovered his strengths, developed a passion around those strengths, and then put them to work for the betterment of others. He exemplified the ideal found in a favorite quote by Dr. Francis Peabody: "The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." As a physician, he was known for his compassionate bedside manor, providing the same level of care to every one of his patients. Dr. Caine loved practicing in a university setting and never ceased being a curious student of medicine. In the evenings and on weekends, he could often be found highlighting articles in medical journals and ripping out articles for future reference.
He was well respected both in the community and among his peers in the medical profession. He was an active member of the Salt Lake Rotary Club and enjoyed his association with the broader professional and philanthropic community. As a physician, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including three presidential endowed chairs, one professorship, and two lectureships at the University. He served in leadership positions in both the Utah Medical Association and the Salt Lake County Medical Society. He was elected President of the medical staff at the University and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Utah Medical Association. In 2015, he was honored as a Master in the American College of Physicians.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was a man of great faith and devotion. Tom poured his heart into every calling or assignment he was given. While serving as a bishop in 1987, he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. During his extensive chemotherapy treatment, he never missed a day of work or his Sunday church meetings. He felt tremendously blessed to have survived his illness, and to have been able to maintain his energy and activity level during that time of his life.
Outside of his life as a physician, Tom spent most of his time with his devoted wife, Mary Ellen. Together they raised six children-two daughters and four sons. While Tom's medical career took him away from home for most of the week and much of the weekend, he was known for swooping in just in time for daddy-daughter parties, writing comprehensive letters to his missionary sons, and instructing the children in the virtues of yard work, good table manners, and defensive driving.
As his children grew older, he became their most important sounding board as they navigated their educational paths, weighed career decisions, and learned about the joys and challenges of family life. He was a patient and engaged listener who had an insightful and inspired response to every important question-often infused with his subtle sense of humor. We will miss his wisdom and steadying influence in our lives.
Dr. Caine is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Ellen, and their six children and their spouses: William (Margit) Caine, Catherine (Stan) Christensen, Stephen (Pamela) Caine, David (Kimberlee) Caine, Thomas (Sarah) Caine, and Marianne (Gavin) Van Wagoner; and 24 grandchildren.
The Caine family would like to thank the numerous doctors from the University and the compassionate caregivers from Touching Hearts and Rocky Mountain Hospice who enabled Tom to remain in his home these past few years, enjoying time with family and dear friends.
Services will be held Friday, October 12th at 12:00 noon in the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 Wasatch Drive in Salt Lake City. Friends may call Thursday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Stake Center or Friday before the funeral from 10:30-11:30. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the Thomas H. Caine, MD Award for Clinical Excellence at the University of Utah (801-587-7903).

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

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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Julie burkholder (Hutchings)

January 27, 2025

My parents were patients of Dr Caine and great friends of his I accompanied them to all their appointments so I have first hand knowledge how much he truly cared for my parents when they would be in the hospital he would come to their rooms to see them and make sure they were getting the best of care Dr caine even came to my father and mother's funeral what a giant of a man and so Christlike our family sure loves you Dr caine!!!!!

October 17, 2018

Dear Mary Ellen,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Tom's gentleness, intelligence, humor and thoughtfulness touched all who had the good fortune of knowing him.

May his memory be eternal!

Sincerely,
George and Mary Ann Mantes

Shirley Christenson

October 16, 2018

My deepest sympathy to the Caine family. Dr. Caine sounds like an outstanding man, son of another outstanding man Arthur Caine, who I believe was part of a partnership with a Mr. Eardley. If it is indeed the same Arthur Caine, he and Mr. Eardley owned a ranch 5 miles south of Soda Springs, Idaho. My father was their foreman and when they sold the ranch in 1938, he bought it from them. Arthur's brother was a professor at what is now USU in Logan.This is the first reference I have seen to the Caine family in local papers. It is exciting to think that Dr. Caine is part of the family my father admired so much.

October 14, 2018

Tom was a great doctor, colleague and role model for me and many others. My condolences to the family.

James R. Scott, MD

Karen Miller

October 11, 2018

I had the privilege of knowing and working along side a true giant of a physician and a true Mensch. His like will not be seen again soon. My heartfelt sympathy to the Caine family.

Sincere Serenity

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Holly Hill RN

October 11, 2018

To the Caine Family, my deepest sympathies. I have known Dr. Caine for 40 years and have the upmost respect for him and the care that he gave to his patients. He will be missed.

Marilyn Nelson

October 10, 2018

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Caine for many years in the Internal Medicine Clinic. He was one of the kindest men you could ever know. Marilyn Nelson

October 10, 2018

When I needed help for problems with two coronary artery issues, Tom was there to see that I received the best care possible. I have always appreciated Tom and his partner, John Holbrook, for their kindness in helping our family over the years.
Warmest regards to Tom's family.

John S. Boyden, Jr.

JoAnn

October 9, 2018

My deepest sympathies for the loss of such a warm, loving, caring person as Dr. Caine. May God give each of you the strength to endure this tragic loss, Phil. 4:13.

Elliot Kuida

October 9, 2018

My sincere condolences to the entire Caine family at this time. Another great University of Utah clinician has passed away. My family had the great fortune to grow up in the presence of Dr. Kaine as he cared for my mother and actually employed my three sisters in his office as summer-time workers.

Dr. Caine will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Elliot H. Kuida

Heather Smith Chateau

October 9, 2018

My deepest condolences to Mrs. Caine and the entire Caine family. I had the great pleasure of working next door to Dr. Caine in the same clinic for many years and I always enjoyed seeing him standing at the end of the nurses station while greeting with a genuine smile every day. He was also my Mother's physician for many years and she too adored him and greatly appreciated his wonderful bedside manner and exceptional care. He will be greatly missed! Fly high Dr. Caine, you deserve it!!

Cliff White

October 9, 2018

I was one of the lucky patients of Thomas Caine. When we said goodbye we hugged and kissed and we both had a tear which I know was very unusual for Tom.

Marianne Burton

October 8, 2018

Dear Sister Caine and Family, Steve and I wish to express heartfelt condolences at the passing of your beloved husband, father, and grandfather. We were both impressed by your and your husband's graciousness and kindness and Steve has many fond memories of his association with your husband during the years he (Steve) served as high counselor. Our love and prayers are with you. Steve and Marianne Burton

John Doane

October 8, 2018

I had the good fortune of serving both as a resident physician under Dr. Caine, and subsequently working with him in the Clinic 2 Internal Medicine Clinic. He was genuine, patient, polite, and respectful of all, irregardless of their life circumstances. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have known this gentlest of gentlemen. Dr. Caine was of a vanishing breed, a physician who emphasized the "care" in healthcare.

Matthew Gardner

October 8, 2018

Uncle Tom, was the most compasionate and patient person I have ever met. As a rambunctious youth I remember knocking over the divider in a bedroom and feared the worst when he got home. I was ready for a scolding when to my suprise he asked if I was injured or hurt. Then he took me down to the bedroom, had an older cousin help me fix the fallen divider. That has stayed with me all my life to try to be half as patient as he.

Matthew Movsesian

October 8, 2018

I came to the University of Utah as a faculty member in 1986, and had the privilege of having my office directly across the hall from Dr Caine. The example he set was both an inspiration and a comfort, and I will always be grateful.

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

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Memorial Events
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Oct

11

Calling hours

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Monument Park Stake Center

UT

Oct

12

Calling hours

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Monument Park Stake Center

1320 Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT

Oct

12

Service

12:00 p.m.

Monument Park Stake Center

1320 Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT

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Larkin Sunset Lawn - Salt Lake City

2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

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