Thomas Edward Rhoads II

1953 - 2024

Thomas Edward Rhoads II

March 1, 1953 - March 19, 2024

Williston, Vermont - Thomas Edward Rhoads II, (Tom), age 71, of Williston, Vermont, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024. He was born on March 1, 1953, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, where he grew up, attended school, and made lasting friends.

Tom led a fulfilling life dedicated to his family, career and athletic pursuits. He studied operations research at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1971 to 1973 and went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in computer sciences at Penn State University. He furthered his education with a Master's degree in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University.

Throughout his 37-year career as an aerospace test systems engineer, Tom patented software inventions that were instrumental to his company's success.

Beyond a successful career, his passion for athletics was evident in his participation in several marathons (including The Boston Marathon), hiking adventures, and his acceptance onto the U.S. National Dragon Boat team. He also found joy and purpose in his role as a mentor for middle and high school students.

Tom was a member of Anacostia Lodge in Washington, D.C., and a Past Master of Hinesburg Lodge in Hinesburg, VT. He was Penn State's biggest fan and always dressed in blue and white on football game day. He participated in the first "Thon" at Penn State, showcasing his dedication to charitable causes. Tom coached wrestling, baseball and youth basketball, leaving a lasting impact on young athletes.

Tom loved math, statistics and analytics just for fun. He was an avid reader with a special interest in epidemiology, especially during and after the pandemic.

Tom cherished his family above all. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda, the love of his life, with whom he shared nearly 40 years of marriage.

He is also survived by his daughter, Molly, whom he (correctly) believes exudes kindness and possesses skills and potential that she often doesn't realize she has. Per Tom, Molly is and will always be his baby. One of his most prized accomplishments was hiking a leg of the Appalachian Trail alongside Molly (Molly hiked all 2192.7 miles of the AT).

Tom marveled at the accomplishments in his son Zach's life: Zach's career, his values, and his own wonderful family – a family that Tom considers a gift to the world. Tom was especially devoted to his granddaughter, Hadley. It is known, by Hadley and everyone else, that Tom (Pappy) "loved Hadley the most." When surgeons asked, "do you want to be resuscitated should anything go wrong in surgery?" He always answered, "Well yes. I have to be here to see my granddaughter grow up."

He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Samantha, whom he feels blessed to call family, as well as his brothers, Mike, Dan, and Doug, and all of their children – his beloved nieces and nephews. Tom also leaves behind many beloved cousins and other relatives.

In addition to his immediate family, Tom is survived by his wife Linda's family, including her parents, her brothers, her sister, and their children – his nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held in the Spring. The Rhoads family will make these details public closer to the date of the celebration.

In memory of Tom, please consider making a donation to one of his favorite nonprofit organizations:

• Connecting Youth mentoring program, connectingyouth.cvsdvt.org

• Dragonheart Vermont, a breast cancer and supporter dragon boat organization, Dragonheartvermont.org

• The McClure Miller Respite House, UVMHomeHealth.org

• The Thon supporting Four Diamonds Thon.org