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THOMAS WAHMAN Obituary
a chief strategist behind the contentious 1982 renewal of the Voting Rights Act and one who devoted his adult life to social, economic, and environmental justice in the US and abroad, died on February 26th in NYC after a brief illness. Tom was a star hockey goalie, both in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he grew up, and later at Dartmouth College, graduating in 1960 as a member of the All American team. After college he attended Union Theological Seminary, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity. Later, as a program officer with several foundations- primarily the Rockefeller Family and Brothers Funds, the CS Mott and John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur foundations -- he arranged multi-year grants totaling tens of millions of dollars in support of the Civil Rights Movement as well as projects devoted to economic and social justice, climate change issues, and farmland preservation. In 2007 Tom received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice award for Lifetime Achievement from Dartmouth. Supporting statements from Ira Glasser, Vernon Jordon, Richard Parsons, and many others attest to the fact that Tom's long and devoted advocacy has made an impact on tens of thousands of lives.
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Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS WAHMAN
Sponsored by Susan Tabor Wahman.
Allison Guttu
February 28, 2025
Sending so much love to all of you. I am grateful for my Uncle Tom, his care and friendship throughout my life, and the powerful friendship between our families. Here's to our two Minnesota divinity-seeking hockey player dads and family members we love and cherish so much.
-Allison
Susan
February 28, 2025
Hard to believe that it's been 9 years since Tom's passing. The only consolation is that he doesn't have to endure this day's chaos and destruction of all he worked toward. He would be heartsick.......but of course determinedly looking for ways to confront the perpetrators. In your honor, Tom, we'll do what we can.
Susan
March 1, 2023
True, Gail!
Susan
March 1, 2023
Thanks, Stephanie, for your generous thoughts. Win was family; she was most helpful to Tom when he joined RBF, as she'd been there a while. I'm reminded recently of how much they both loved Wagner's Ring, and treated each other to the whole cycle whenever it played at the Met.
Stephanie (Gallagher) Rooney
February 28, 2023
Tom was so supportive of my Aunt Winifred Gallagher. He was always available to help her through any personal issues she had; ie working diligently through the red tape in NYC to fix the elevator in her apartment building when she returned from a long hospital stay. We thank Susan and Tom for inviting Aunt Winn to all their holiday gatherings.
Gail
February 28, 2023
Dear memories hold forever.
Susan Tabor
March 1, 2022
Thank you, Allison, for your thoughtful words. It's difficult to parse the reality that Tom has been gone for six years. It always delights me to remember what great friends he and your dad were over the years.
Allison Guttu
February 28, 2022
Thanks for the opportunity to honor Tom this year. Such a loving presence and a deep, good family friend. So much love and blessings to Sue, Gwen and Jess.
Allison Guttu
April 4, 2021
Tom was one of my "adopted" uncles, a family member through his decades-old friendship with my dad. I grew up with intense and beautiful political, social and religious debate at our family gatherings, which helped spark my own political organizing. I'm humbled and grateful for this. Uncle Tom, you were and are one of the greats. Thank you for always being a listening ear, a comforting presence, and so much fun to be around.
All love to Sue, Jessica and Gwen.
Bob Wahman
March 2, 2021
Five years later I remain most proud of my brother, Tom, his many accomplishments and the model he exhibited for a life well-lived.
Tom Cochran
March 21, 2016
Dear Susan, Gwen and Jess,
Tom's professional support and personal friendship were terribly important to me starting in about 1979 when we first encountered each other in Washington. I was so very lucky to have worked with Tom at RDF, where he gave me the home base and the creative freedom to conceive, launch and execute the International Public Finance Program. I miss him badly. Love, Tom C.
Gail Ryan
March 12, 2016
I miss my dear friend of 50 years. Susan and Tom and Jess and Gwen.....so many holidays for so many years we shared together. So many memories. A heavy heart, but know he has a safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last.
John Stuhr
March 7, 2016
So many large and lasting achievements--in addition to one of the largest: father of Jessica Wahman.
March 7, 2016
My thoughts are with you
Marc Weisenfreund
March 7, 2016
Incredible person. Incredible life. He will be sorely missed. Love to all his family.
Marc
John Wolff
March 6, 2016
Tom helped me through a difficult time in my life, and I regret that the same help eluded him. At last, serenity. Bless you Tom.
Stephanie Gallagher-Rooney
March 6, 2016
Tom and his family have shared a tremendous friendship with our aunt during the past 50 years. We took comfort in the fact that Tom was always available to lend his support. The Gallagher family is so sorry to have lost such a caring and devoted friend.
Lou and Michelle Jordan
March 6, 2016
Our condolences to the family for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Lou and Michelle Jordan
Jessica Wahman
March 6, 2016
You accomplished so much in your life, Dad. I am so proud to be your daughter. I will miss you so much and love you always.
Erika Moore
March 6, 2016
Though I never met Tom, I feel as though I did through Susan. No surprise then that he was an extraordinary human being. Rest in peace.
Maria Varela
March 6, 2016
Tom's spiritual commitment to social justice was enduring
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