Thomas Allan Fackenthall

1938 - 2016

Thomas Allan Fackenthall, the oldest of five children, was born on Oct. 21, 1938 in Spokane to Allan Fackenthall and Frances DeVoe Fackenthall. Tom died on June 1, 2016, at the age of 77 at his home in Seattle, with his loved ones nearby.
In his early years, Tom lived with his parents in several states during the time his father, Allan, was in the U. S. Army. Following his father's discharge from the military, the family made their home at Nine Mile Falls on property Tom's great-grandparents, the Blumenauers and Fackenthalls, had settled in the 1890s.
Tom attended elementary school at Nine Mile Falls and at St. Francis Assisi in Spokane. The family moved to Deer Park in 1948, where he finished grade school.
Tom graduated from Deer Park High School in 1956 and Gonzaga University in 1960. He entered the Jesuit Seminary at Mt. St. Michael's near Spokane. He received a bachelor's degree in physics and masters' degrees in mathematics and philosophy from Seattle University. Tom's career in education, which spanned nearly 40 years, was in the Seattle area.
Tom lived a rich full life devoted to family, friends, the environment, and service. He was always ready to help those in need or open his home to anyone in distress. Tom thrived on studying science and was an inspiration to his students.
His enquiring spirit made him a leader in the field of technology, and in the early 70s Tom was featured in Time magazine as a pioneer in the implementation of computers. He was a favorite educator to school children of all ages.
After retirement, when Tom wasn't experimenting with boat building, gardening or hydroponics, he would escape to a nearby body of water where he canoed, kayaked, crabbed, and fished. At times, his wandering spirit would resurface, and he would head for warmer destinations, including Hawaii, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Ensenada.
Tom was the driving force that inspired some of his cousins to start compiling the family histories, an effort that continues today.
From his childhood through adulthood, Tom's religious faith was central, and he attended Mass to commune with God. Always grounded in his beliefs and values, he lived as a peaceful, kind, and gentle man.
Tom is survived by his beloved partner of 24 years, Gina Hamilton; his three children, Aleph (Joy) Fackenthall, Melaina Chambers, and Eratosthenes Fackenthall; his grandchildren, Zaid, Zia, Zac, and Zella Fackenthall, Candace and Danielle Chambers; his siblings, Dick (Starr) Fackenthall, Mallene (Johannes) Herzog, Patricia (Larry) Annis, and Terese (Robert) Schrom; the mother of his children, Ann Koch; and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, E602 Sixth St. in Deer Park.