Thomas Edward Stautzenbach

Thomas Edward Stautzenbach of Hendersonville, NC died with the sunrise on the morning of September 15, 2025, five weeks after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Tom was born on May 13, 1965, in Arlington Heights, IL. In 1987, Tom received a Bachelor of Business Administration and in 1989 a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Hospital and Health Administration, all from the University of Iowa, forever a devoted Hawkeye.

Tom spent his entire career in the health care industry working directly with health care providers, initially in hospital management and consulting with a special emphasis in strategic operations planning. Since 1993, he managed professional health care associations in the role of executive director, initially with Smith, Bucklin & Associates, serving as the executive director of multiple medical, surgical and dental professional associations and providing consulting services to a variety of non-profit association sectors. After which he led the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), the first national orthopaedic association in the world, working with orthopaedic leaders to develop a new vision for the association. From 2005-2024, Tom was the executive director and CEO of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), a national medical society of more than 10,000 physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists).

While living in Illinois, Tom was active in his local community through JOURNEYS' PADS shelter program and served on the Board of Trustees of the Interfaith House (The Boulevard), the Board of Trustees of First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, and the Board of Directors for the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

While Tom's professional accomplishments were impactful, his family and faith punctuated everything he was and everything he did. 23 years ago, Tom received the gift of life in the form of a living kidney donation from his wife's cousin, Stacie Baptist. The transplant enabled him to overcome Polycystic Kidney Disease. Tom treasured this second chance, enabling him to live life to the fullest with his family and dogs. Tom coached teams, attended games and events, hiked national parks, and traveled the world with the loves of his life, his wife and children.

After living in and raising their family in Arlington Heights, in 2020, Tom and his wife purchased and updated an old lodge in Hendersonville, NC. They moved to the mountains full time in mid-2024 and lived out their dream for the next 16 months, enjoying hiking, tubing, music, craft beer, wine, new friends, and frequent visits from family and old friends.

Tom is survived by his wife of 29 years Jody Baptist Stautzenbach, son Carter Briggs Sharp (Ashley), daughter Mattie Jane Stautzenbach (betrothed to Jonah Gonczy), mother Nancy Stautzenbach, brother Steve Stautzenbach (Suzanne), sister Susan Villanova (Joseph) and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Edward George Stautzenbach III. Tom

also leaves countless friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and colleagues. He will be sorely missed but remembered with love and a smile.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:30pm on November 1, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, IL. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation at PKDCure.org, funding research for the treatment and cure for the disease that has impacted so many Stautzenbachs. https://support.pkdcure.org/tstautz