Thomas Addison Heberlein

Thomas Addison Heberlein, a scholar, outdoorsman, and champion of rural life, died of prostate cancer on Jan. 4, 2024, at home in Madison, Wis., with his wife, Betty, by his side.

Tom was born May 6, 1945, in Portage, Wis., to Charles Addison Heberlein and Margaret Jean (Ferrie) Heberlein. He was an Eagle Scout, a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, and staff member at Camp Castle Rock. Tom graduated with honors from Portage High School in 1963 and received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 1967. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he completed an M.A. (1969) and Ph.D. (1971) in Sociology. After a year at the University of Colorado at Boulder, he was recruited to UW-Madison's Department of Rural Sociology where he taught and conducted research from 1972 to 2001.

Tom Heberlein wrote some of the formative articles on environmental attitudes and how they influence environmental behavior, leading to his capstone book, Navigating Environmental Attitudes (Oxford University Press, 2012). He was also known for his research into America's hunting culture and hunter behavior. He studied the effects of crowding on outdoor recreation, including deer hunting in Wisconsin, rafting in the Grand Canyon, and a 30-year study of boaters and kayakers at the Apostle Island National Lakeshore in Lake Superior.

After Betty was recruited to Stockholm University in 2004, Tom joined the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Umea) where he developed the course on human dimensions of wildlife and studied mountain tourism, hunting, and attitudes toward wolves. He enjoyed hosting the King of Sweden at an international environmental conference and accompanying Betty to several Nobel Prize ceremonies and banquets after she was elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Tom and Betty lived for many years in rural Lodi, Wis., where he was active in the Rotary Club, Lodi Opportunity Development Inc., and the Presbyterian Church. In 1995 he founded Friends of Scenic Lodi Valley, and in 2000 established Lodi Reads Leopold, a weekend-long celebration of conservationist Aldo Leopold and his famous book, A Sand County Almanac. In 2004 the Wisconsin Legislature established the first weekend of March as Aldo Leopold Weekend; celebrations and readings now occur annually in over 20 communities in Wisconsin and across the United States.

During the 1970s, Tom took over his father's hunting camp, Old Tamarack, in Ashland County, Wisconsin. Over the years, dozens and dozens of hunters, anglers, hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and even wild-rice harvesters have visited and written in Old T's camp logs. Tom's remains now rest at Old T in a beautiful high place, facing east to catch the rising sun over the Iron River and the spruces, firs, and aspens that frame it.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Bonnie Jean Hilberg; a niece, Kristina Hilberg, and her daughter, Nicole.

He is survived by his wife and partner of 40 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Thomson; a stepson, Earl (Skip) Hilton (Maria); and three grandsons, Henry, Peter, and David Hilton, all of Menlo Park, Calif. He is also survived by a niece, Kathy MacFarlane (Thom); and their sons, T.J. MacFarlane (Britlyn, with Tenley and Brooks) of San Diego, Calif; and Matthew MacFarlane (Michael) of Los Angeles, Calif.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at 2 p.m., at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1609 University Ave., Madison. Further details of Tom Heberlein's life and suggestions for memorial gifts can be found at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420