Thomas Charles Mohr
November 24, 1934 – November 4, 2020
Thomas C. "Tom" Mohr, a long-time education and community leader, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2020.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Sandy Mohr (with Molly, their black poodle), three children: Mark Mohr (Crystal) of Southern California, Laura Mohr of the East Bay, and Tom Mohr (Beatrice) of Virginia, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two siblings: Suzanne Rinehart and Timothy Mohr (Priscilla), three nephews, and a sister-in-law, Susan Brown. He was preceded in death by one brother, James Mohr, and two brothers-in-law: Jack Brown and Donald Rinehart.

Born in Canton, Ohio and raised in Massillon, Ohio, Tom moved to the Bay Area more than 50 years ago and embarked on a career in public education, serving as a high school chemistry teacher, principal at three different high schools in San Mateo County, as assistant superintendent and ultimately superintendent of the San Mateo Union High School District. After his retirement from the SMUHSD in 2004, Tom served as president at Cañada College for six years and as a trustee of the San Mateo County Community College District for four years until his retirement in 2018. He served on a host of boards, commissions and committees and received countless awards and recognitions over his five decades of community service. Tom was also a veteran of the United States Army Reserves.

Tom's life was filled with family and friends who loved and cherished him and who he loved and supported. He was a mentor to countless teachers and educators throughout the County, an advocate for equity, diversity, fairness and social justice, and was a man of honor, with deep integrity and compassion. Tom had unwavering principles and protected and promoted the needs of the underserved, disadvantaged, and marginalized people throughout the community; Tom was a true humanitarian. A perpetual student, Tom was a voracious reader and consumer of information and he was learning until his last day. In those rare moments of quiet time, Tom enjoyed watching Cal football, hiking, exploring the coast, fishing, playing with his dog, connecting with friends and, of course, consuming any desserts or sweet foods that he could get his hands on.

The family asks for the privacy during their time of grief and mourning and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Tom's memory to the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation (for Project Change) (https://foundation.smccd.edu/donate.php), CASA of San Mateo County (https://secure.donorpro.com/casa), Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (https://phs-spca.org/) and/or Muttville Senior Dog Rescue https://muttville.org/donate).

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 7 to Nov. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom Mohr

Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.

9 Entries

Debbie Rasmus Marty

December 18, 2020

Oh my, Sandy! Tom was an amazing person & we're so lucky you brought him into our lives! We're better people for knowing both of you! Memories of the old, true Burlingame Avenue, you & Tom & your dogs, the Knudsens are going thru my mind. You are in our thoughts, prayers & in our hearts! Bill & Debbie

Lori Watkins

November 29, 2020

My deepest condolences to the Mohr family.

When I was hired by the SMUHSD, Tom was the Assistant Supt. and later became Supt. I'll always be grateful for him adding a very favorable letter to my employee file. He was a good man. I'm sorry for your loss Mrs. Mohr.

Lori Watkins

Robert Arnold

Planted Trees

Bob Arnold

November 20, 2020

The World is a sadder place without Tom in it.

Nils Headley

November 12, 2020

Tom Mohr will be missed. He was the SMUHSD Superintendent when I was hired. I didn’t have a lot of conversations with him but when I did he was genuine, thoughtful and remembered who I was. With 600+ teachers and all the staff, it’s tough to remember names but Tom did. I’d see him at the YMCA after he retired from SMUHSD and he still remembered. Good guy, good teacher, good administrator.

Dan Callaghan

November 10, 2020

Tom was on the selection panel for Congressman Lantos when I was a candidate for appointment to the Naval Academy in 1980. His son Mark and I were classmates at the Academy. I was so pleased to re-connect with Tom again last year on Congresswoman Speier's selection panel. When we shook hands, I instantly remembered him and his penetrating look and insightful questions from when I was an applicant. We were together again only for a single day, but it was a memorable connection and a reminder of how valuable the insights of an educator (and parent) can be in the selection process. Fair winds and following seas to someone who made a difference in my life and brought a smile to my face.

Paul Naas

November 8, 2020

I met Tom after my first semester teaching at Cañada College. From that day forward I was always impressed with his candor, his wisdom, and his passion for education and helping students get to where they wanted to be. I am proud, humbled, and honored to call Tom my mentor and friend. I am heartbroken at his loss.

My thoughts and best wishes are with his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone who knew and loved him.

Aileen Scatena

November 8, 2020

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Tom was a wonderful and caring man. You are in my prayers.

Dr. William Ahern

November 7, 2020

I first met Tom when I was a brand new assistant football coach at Oceana High School and a Pacifica Police Officer. Tom had a way about him that made you feel included, never judgmental, and very much supported. I met Tom some 40 years later, in "our group", I didn't recognize him at first, but once we did, we rekindled our friendship and talked about "old times". We share the same love of authors, and he would alway be there to provide a passage or two that was alway relevant to our conversation. When I learned of Tom's passing, a 60's song "Those Were the Day's", it was so appropriate because we thought those days would never end, and they never will....I will miss Tom.

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