Thomas P. Culviner
April 5, 1953 - Jun 16, 2022
MADISON - Tom Culviner, age 69, passed away on June 16, 2022, after a two-year struggle with glioblastoma. With sheer determination, he read literature in his favorite chair with dog, Mindy, at his feet, almost to the end.
Tom grew up in Madison, NJ. He spent many summers at a family cottage on Fire Island, body surfing in the ocean and sailing on the bay, skills he'd later teach his kids. As a teenager, he'd take the train to see bands at the iconic Fillmore East. Headliner: The Grateful Dead; opening act: the Allman Brothers. Those were the days!
He graduated from Kenyon College in 1975 with a degree in English, and married fellow student, Pam Winslow, a year later. He earned a PhD in English from UW-Madison in 1984. Many pleasant times were spent walking on Picnic Point, meeting up with fellow grad students at the Union Terrace, and traveling to England and Europe multiple times.
After a four-year stint in LA and a job change from college English teacher to editor, Tom and Pam returned to Madison, with John (1986) and Peter (1988) in tow to make Madison their permanent home. Tom was hired by UW-Extension as an editor for their correspondence courses, which soon evolved to online. He edited courses and related materials for 21 years for Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning, and a range of other names. He also represented the division on Academic Staff Council. He retired in 2016.
When the boys were young, Tom read the entirety of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" aloud, with voices for each character - Gollum was particularly inspired. The family also enjoyed camping, canoeing, and going to Ocracoke Island for many years. Then there were boats: Boston Whaler, 16' Precision, renting large sailboats in the Caribbean, and finally a 25' Irwin on Lake Michigan. After he was diagnosed, John and Peter took two last sails with him. They did the sailing to his satisfaction.
Tom was an excellent editor and we shudder to think how he'd edit this.
Tom is survived by wife, Pam Culviner; sons: John (Katie, Audrey, James), Peter (Chantal); and sister, Nonny.
The family will scatter his ashes privately in the future.
To share stories or thoughts, please visit mykeeper.com/profile/ThomasCulviner/.
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