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Thomas Getchell Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Getchell
Sponsored by His Loving Family.
Mike Miyamoto
March 22, 2014
Dear Mitz (I still remember how Tom fondly talked of you),
I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Tom's passing. Your loss is shared by the so very many people lucky enough to have known him. He was like the big brother I never had, but (unlike me) he was a true gentleman.
I've often reflected on how our paths crossed after Northwestern, starting from UPenn and me at Rutgers, Yale and me at UCONN, and UK and me in TN.
What a privilege it has been to know you two, from before you began dating in Bob's lab at Northwestern! What a journey! I'm just so sorry it had to end.
May God grant you the strength to cope with his loss and the wisdom to know how to continue on. His memory will live on in everyone who was blessed with his being.
With deepest sympathy,
Mike and Janis Miyamoto
Don Whitmore
December 24, 2013
Dear Mitzi,
We were saddened to read of the loss of Tom. I still remember you both from Northwestern many years ago. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Don and Elaine Whitmore
Mike Andrae
November 9, 2013
Tom taught Comparative Anatomy at Gannon University prior to his graduation. He was an inspiration which led me to become a high school biology teacher. I will remember him in my daily prayers.
JOAN SCHAAF
November 1, 2013
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
DEAR MITZI: IN TODAY'S MAIL I RECEIVED A NEWSLETTER FROM GANNON UNIVERSITY AND WAS SHOCKED TO READ TOM'S NAME IN THE "IN MEMORIAM" SECTION OF THAT NEWSLETTER. THAT PROMPTED ME TO GO ON LINE WHICH VERIFIED THE NEWS WHICH MUST NOT HAVE APPEARED IN THE ERIE NEWSPAPERS. JULY 20 WOULD HAVE BEEN JIM AND MY 56TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND JIM HAS BEEN GONE FOR VERY CLOSE TO TEN YEARS NOW. HE AND I HAD SUCH FOND MEMORIES OF TOM AND TRULY ENJOYED EVERY VISIT YOU TWO MADE TO ERIE OVER THE YEARS AND WERE ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR THE PHONE CALL HOPING WE COULD JOIN YOU TWO AND BILL AND MARIA FOR A DINNER. I NEVER GOT AROUND TO SAYING THANKS FOR A COPY OF THE BOOK TOM SENT AND WILL CHERISH IT NOW MORE THAN EVER. PLEASE BE STRONG, MITZI AND KNOW THAT TOM IS IN A BETTER PLACE NOT HAVING HAD TO SUFFER AND BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHO WILL BE YOUR SUPPORT AS WELL AS SO MANY FRIENDS WHO SIGNED THE GUEST BOOK EXPRESSING THEIR LOVE FOR BOTH YOU AND TOM AS YOU MOVED FROM PLACE TO PLACE. GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY TOM REST IN PEACE.
LOVE, JOAN SCHAAF
Jay Kitterman
August 13, 2013
We are truly saddened by Tom's death. We know he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and students.
Carol and Jay Kitterman
Beachplace
Jim Bangel and Louise Gomer Bangel
July 30, 2013
Dear Mitzi, Abe, Aaron and Family,
What great times Tom, you, Jim and I shared together during and since our days at Northwestern. Tom had such a fantastic sense of humor, a special intelligence, and was truly a gentle and kind person. We have so many wonderful memories of the times we all spent together as our children were growing up and since then too. Jim and I are so glad we have these memories to comfort us as we adjust to his loss and we hope all of those will help you too. What a very special person who enriched all of our lives!
Much love, Louise and Jim
Elizabeth Bangel-Stehlin
July 30, 2013
Mitzi, Aaron and Abe,
I am so shocked to hear of Thom's passing. He was a wonderful man and I always enjoyed seeing him when our families got together. I hope your warm memories and love for each other help keep you strong during this difficult time.
Robert Gesteland
July 28, 2013
I was saddened by the news. He was the best student I ever had. I wish we had been able to get together thru the years.
Father Joseph Gregorek
July 26, 2013
Dear Mitzi:
My deepest sympathy to you and the family on the passing of Tom to God.
Tom and I grew up a few blocks from each other in Erie. We played sandlot football and baseball together. We went to Prep high school together and in our senior years decided to see if we had religious vocations. We both majored in biology and ended up professors.
I have informed my classmates from Prep of Tom's passing and many have contacted me assuring of prayers for Tom and the family.
What wonderful memories I will cherish especially your wedding.
My prayer is expressed in the funeral Mass: May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.
God bless you with peace during these difficult times.
Shalom
July 26, 2013
Dear Mitzi,
Joya and I are so sad to learn of Tom's passing. We both have fond memories of the time when both of you were in New Haven, and my respect and admiration for Tom,both personally and professionally, continued to grow over the years afterward. With our condolences and sympathy to you and the family,
Joya and Larry Marks
Pat & John Brouder
July 25, 2013
DAR Marilyn,
We were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was such a neat man and a friend to all. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
love,
Pat & John Brouder
July 25, 2013
Dear Marilyn,
Bob and I were deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Tom's passing. We always enjoyed his stimulating conversations. He will surely be greatly missed! You and your family will be in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Lorraine and Bob Reardon
Beachplace,Fl.
July 25, 2013
Marilyn, Sid and I are just heartsick after hearing the sad news about Tom. He was a true gentleman. Please accept our sincere sympathy and love, Ann Friedman
July 25, 2013
Dear Mitzi,
Please accept this round about way of sending our condolences to you. I fondly remember how you and Tom graciously took me in on my first visit to New Haven. Then we wound up living next to one another. I was lucky to have Tom as a colleague both at Penn and Yale and will miss him sorely, even though we have lost touch over the years.
Best to you and your children,
John and Barbara
Your friends at the office
July 25, 2013
Aaron and family,
We are saddened to hear about your dad's passing. You're in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Erica Gardner
July 24, 2013
Abe, Morgan, and Family.
I was shocked to hear of your father's sudden passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Abe, may you take comfort in knowing your father was a part of your happiness in your recent engagement to Morgan. He died knowing his son had found the one. God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
Erica Gardner (friend of Morgan's)
Vimala Bondada
July 24, 2013
Dear Dr.Marilyn Getchell
So sorry for your loss...love of your life! Dr. Getchell is the "gentleman" I have ever met, he was always so polite, caring person. As we say...he is very lucky to leave the world so peacefully, only "blessed ones" can go away like that!
Take care
Vimala Bondada
Shreya Buch
July 24, 2013
Dear Dr.Marilyn Getchell,
I am very sorry to hear about Dr. Tom Getchells passing away. We will always remember him for his great nature and always smiling face.Our prayers are with you and your family.
Olfactory memory
Bert Menco
July 23, 2013
Dear Mitzi,
I was very sorry to hear/read about Tom's death; a very respected colleague, for multiple years, of many among which I am proud to include myself. Even our research interests sometimes partially overlapped, particularly with respect to the olfactory mucus. From Evanston I wish you and your family and close friends lots of strength with this loss.
Ron Elekes
July 23, 2013
To The Getchell Family,
I was a classmates of Tom at Prep and I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Tom was aquiet, friendly and scholarly classmate. My heartfelt sympathy to his family. Tom will be included in our prayers. God Bless All Of You.
Ron Elekes, class of 57
Bruce and Linda Barter
July 23, 2013
Dear Mitzi,
We were so very sorry to hear about Tom. We hope it will be some consolation that he didn't suffer, and passed away peacefully. We hope to see you this year in Florida.
Our love to you and your family.
Nathan Holbrook
July 23, 2013
I was saddened to learn of Tom's passing. The family is in my thoughts and has my deepest condolences.
Sandra Raybourne Perry
July 23, 2013
Dear Marilyn, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. During my years at the Center on Aging, Tom always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say whenever we met. He was a true Christian gentleman and a blessing to all who knew him. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Sandi(Raybourne)Perry
Debra Katz
July 23, 2013
Tom gave my son his first laboratory research experience as a high school student. His kindness, patience and support allowed my son to participate in scientific research and work as part of a research team. Tom was a great mentor and role model and a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed.
Mark and Judy Borders
July 22, 2013
Marilyn, our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. We sincerely appreciate all the time and effort you and Tom spent on our son, Aaron Borders, during his doctoral work. We will keep the family in our prayers.
Nancy Kukulinsky
July 22, 2013
My pleasure knowing Dr. Getchell was serving UK thru the General Clinical Research Center where he never tired mentoring young scientists. I know he is smiling down on you at this difficult time.
Phil, Georgette Bummer
July 22, 2013
Tom was a consolation to us when our son was coping with cancer. We were strangers in Lexington, and Tom went out of his way to offer his comforting words to us. He surely will rest in peace.
Susanne Markesbery Arnold
July 22, 2013
The Markesbery family sends their prayers and sympathy to all the Getchells in their time of loss. We've lost a gentleman, a scholar and a wonderful light in this world, but heaven has gained another bright star. We are with you in spirit.
Susanne Markesbery Arnold.
Sherry Frank
July 22, 2013
Dear Marilyn,
Tom Getchell was a kind, gentle, wise, super intelligent human being. I was so looking forward to working with him and getting to know both of you better. My great grandfather also fought in the Civil War and I enjoyed discussing his new interest with him.
I know how proud he was of you and your boys. You all are in my prayers and my every thought. He touched so many and will be so very missed.
Nancy Schoenberg
July 22, 2013
I had several wonderful interactions with Tom over the years at the UK COM. As others have noted, he was always so encouraging and interested and smiling. Every committee we served on together was made so much better by Tom's engaging and wise presence. He was and will always be a treasure. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Carla Getchell
July 22, 2013
Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. You and the rest of your family are in my thoughts.
Angel Schumacher
July 22, 2013
Marilyn,
I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I can't help but remember every time I seen him, he had a smile on his face and just such a kind heart. I feel blessed to have known such a wonderful person. He will be missed greatly. I will say a prayer for you at this difficult time.
F. Douglas Scutchfield
July 22, 2013
Tom was an unusally kind and gentle man. He was a true scholar, a good administrator who worked well with colleagues and a dear friend to all he knew. He will be missed for his kindness and thoughtfulness. He is in my prayers.
Leslie Crofford
July 22, 2013
I am saddened greatly by the news of Tom's death. He was a wonderful colleague and mentor to me. Tom was one of the great gentlmen of UK. It was an honor to know him.
July 22, 2013
Dear Marilyn, Family and Friends of Tom,
It was my special privilege to know and work with Tom Getchell during my years at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Apart from the brilliance of his science, Tom was an extraordinary man---one of surpassing character and integrity, and a consummate gentleman. May we all strive to emulate his special qualities.
My deepest sympathies,
Jay Perman
Former Dean, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Jim Geddes
July 22, 2013
If there is a nicer person, I have not met them. Tom was highly respected, admired, and liked by all of his colleagues at UK, a very rare feat! Tom's legacy will continue through the grant writing workshop which he established. I cherish his mentorship and friendship.
Esther Dupont
July 22, 2013
I am shocked by Tom's passing and would like the family to know that my thoughts are with you. I knew Tom through his work at UK and he will certainly be missed terribly by all of us.
July 22, 2013
For the short time I knew Tom, he was always smiling. May you rest in peace and know you will be missed each and everyday until we ALL meet again at God's house. Tom& Jeri
Jonny Lifshitz
July 22, 2013
Tom taught us all through his actions, not just his personal stories. We'll carry and re-teach each of these lessons.
Jeri
July 22, 2013
Marilyn, I am so sorry about the sudden loss of Tom, I feel honored to have known him . I will miss his kind and joyful spirit. Jeri
Ann Emmerson
July 22, 2013
I will always remember how incredibly nice and pleasant Tom was and such a joy to work with. He will be sorely missed. I am sorry to hear of his sudden passing and my prayers are with you and your family.
Kim Wilkirson
July 22, 2013
Dr. Marilyn Getcehll,
Sorry to hear the sad news. I always enjoyed seeing him in the hallways, chatting,asking about you and seeing him smile. He will be missed!
Lana Spicer
July 22, 2013
Dear Marilyn, my thoughts are with you and your family. Dr. Getchell was a wonderful person and was always thoughtful and pleasant to be around. I am sorry for your loss.
Avalon Sandoval
July 22, 2013
Tom was a person I was always happy to see with a a smile on his face and radiating kindness. I am so sorry for his loss.
Charlotte Kaetzel
July 22, 2013
Marilyn, I was so sorry to hear of Tom's sudden passing. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Charlotte Kaetzel
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