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BORN
1933
DIED
2018
Thomas Stockdale Obituary
1933 - 2018
Thomas Michael Stockdale, 85, passed away peacefully late Saturday evening at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Born May 14, 1933 in Sandusky, Ohio, Tom was the son of Harold W. Stockdale and Elizabeth Smith Stockdale. He was an avid professor and student mentor at The Ohio State University where he received two service-to-student awards. He especially enjoyed the outdoors, playing golf, The Ohio State University sporting events and lived a life devoted to extensive community service. Tom was a graduate of Sandusky High School, class of 1951, and The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology – Wildlife Management (1955) and Master of Science Zoology (1959). He was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the U.S. Army (Artillery) in 1955 following completion of the ROTC program. Tom served with the National Guard as well as the 287th Field Artillery Battalion, Dachau, Germany where he was a member of the 287th Artillery Battalion golf team. He joined the faculty of The Ohio State University Extension Service as Wildlife Specialist in 1960 and retired as Professor Emeritus, University Extension and School of Natural Resources in 1988. Tom was active in many professional and community organizations. He served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus from 1978-2018 and Chairman of the Board of Directors for two years. Tom also served on the American Red Cross Midwest Regional Committee where he presided as Committee Chairman. Tom was involved in many other community work including: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Board of Directors, 30 years of dedicated service to the Ohio State 4-H Conservation Camp, Memorial Tournament Volunteer for Children's Hospital, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Advisory Council and 40 years of service with the Republican Central Committee. He helped start the Women's Crew Club at OSU and was their first faculty advisor. Tom is survived by his brother, Robert H. Stockdale (Susan) of Sandusky; their children, Beth Stockdale Short (Andy) of Athens, GA, Steve Stockdale (Kimmy) of Aurora, OH and Karen Stockdale Herold (Greg) of Findlay, OH; grand-nieces and nephews; and many professional and personal friends, especially Linda Zoundas and Sara McNealy of Columbus, OH. A family memorial service is being planned for November.
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Stockdale
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
Nicole Ryan
November 4, 2018
Tom will be missed by his Starrett Road friends & neighbors. He was such a kind man, we loved listening to all his stories. May he Rest In Peace
October 30, 2018
Tom Stockdale was my undergraduate honors thesis adviser when I was in the wildlife management program at OSU in the 1970s and was an excellent mentor, teacher and role model. Condolences to his family and friends. May all whom he touched at OSU honor his memory by continuing to strive for sound stewardship of our natural resources, just as he taught and inspired us.
Jim Barborak, Co-Director
Center for Protected Area Management
Colorado State University
Dan Smith
October 25, 2018
Dr Stockdale, Thank you for helping and assisting the OSU Crew establish itself in its early years as our academic advisor.
Terry & Kodi Asman
October 24, 2018
We were heartbroken to here of Toms passing. We lived next door to him for 21 years. He was a far more than just a neighbor, he was a part of our family! He was very active in his community and the epitome of a true, caring friend, to all who were lucky enough to know him. He will be very sadly missed. ~The Asman Family
Barbara Bloetscher
October 24, 2018
Dear Friends and Family of Tom,
Tom Stockdale was a great help to me and the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. He identified pond plants for us as well as providing advise on controlling pond weeds and other wildlife issues we encountered.
I always enjoyed talking with him as he was friendly, happy and very knowledgeable.
He spoke at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference several years for which I was lucky enough to moderate. Once time I was invited to speak at a club he belonged to and was thrilled to be able to spend extra time with him. He was a real treasure to OSU and will be greatly missed.
Karen Thomas Reed
October 22, 2018
Tom Stockdale
Just saying his name floods me with many wonderful memories of days on Campus and of course the days at Camp Ohio. What a wonderful man, so helpful, so smart, so kind and gentle. A great example to so many.
Thanks for the memories!
Thomas Linkous
October 20, 2018
Thank you Tom for being a good friend, an advisor and committee member at OSU and a fellow member of the Wheaton Club.
US Army 287th Battalion- Germany. OSU 1955, Masters 1959, ROTC. Retired Professor Emeritus.
Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMCR
October 19, 2018
God Bless and Thank YOU, Lt. Stockdale for your service... RIP ... And Semper Fi.... SIR.
Stacy Brehm
October 19, 2018
As a very early OSU wildlife management major in the early 70's I will always remember what a great major/program Professor Stockdale, Ernest E. Good, and others formed. If you wanted some good sound advice Professor Stockdale was available and his wisdom was evident. What he taught to others will live on within us and condolences to his family.
Jerri Asman
October 18, 2018
I will miss our wonderful neighbor and freind we often talked across the fence and the occasional swim in the pool. Remember the gatherings for the 4th of July. always asking how the children were doing with the direction of colleges. Tom you will be missed. Your family are in my prayers. I know you are no longer in pain rest in peace my freind will miss our talks
Tom Ryther
October 18, 2018
Oh my... As was said by a fellow Wheaton Club member... Tom was a leader, a giant in this world
He, a gentleman, will be so missed.
Tom Ryther
Mark Giese
October 18, 2018
Professor Stockdale was part of the "original equipment" of the OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources. I had the privilege of working directly with him for many years when he was active on the SENR faculty, and he has been a great link to our past as well. He was one of our first faculty when the School of Environment and Natural Resources was created. I also remember him as a true ambassador of the school,college and university. I did not have a class with him, but I was fortunate to have had many occasions to connect with him while working at the university and over the years when he volunteered at Farm Science Review or came back for one of our School events. We will all miss his presence, but his legacy will live on with us.
Marshall Swain
October 18, 2018
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend Tom Stockdale. Tom and I met about 20 years ago on the golf course at The Ohio State University golf club. Tom was an avid golfer who could hit remarkably long drives in his day! He was an extremely knowledgeable wildlife expert. I learned a great deal from him about the workings of Mother Nature, especially the flora and fauna of Ohio. We were in very different academic areas at OSU, he in Wildlife Management and I in Philosophy, but somehow the intersection lead to many interesting conversations! Tom was a great individual, conscientious and caring. I will miss him. My deepest sympathies to his relatives and close friends.
Mark Dilley
October 17, 2018
I had Tom as an instructor for a wildlife management class at Ohio State. He was a very intelligent, humorous and humble teacher. I remember him correcting students often who wanted to call him Dr. Stockdale. He'd always say, sternly "It's MR. Stockdale." He would tell the class he wasn't going to take credit for a degree he'd not earned. He was very down to earth, and you could tell he sincerely cared about his students. A great mentor and a great human being - Tom will be missed!
Karen Thompson
October 17, 2018
Tom will be missed. he always had a warm smile and welcomed everyone.
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