Thomas E. Carbonneau

1950 - 2025

Thomas E. Carbonneau

September 3, 1950 - October 23, 2025

State College, Pennsylvania - Thomas Carbonneau, 75, was a respected law professor and beloved father and brother who passed away on October 23, 2025. Born on September 3, 1950, in Van Buren, Maine, Tom lived a life of learning and generosity.

As a scholar of international, comparative, and domestic arbitration, he held the Samuel P. Orlando Distinguished Professorship at Penn State Law and the Moise S. Steeg Jr. professorship at Tulane University School of Law. During his more than 30 years as a professor, he was also a visiting professor at many universities across the globe including McGill, Fordham, University of Denver, Hamline University, University of California at Davis, and Queen Mary. He wrote more than fifteen books and eighty scholarly articles on law, including a treatise on arbitration.

He was also a lifelong student who valued the pursuit of knowledge. He was a former Rhodes Scholar and held degrees from Oxford University, Bowdoin College, University of Virginia, and Columbia University.

Tom took great pride in his role as a father and professor. Looking after his family, and his students, was his pride and joy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Adrien and Lucille Carbonneau, and his brothers Pete and Greg. He is survived by his daughter, Sara, his niece, Mindy, and his brothers, Bill, Mike, and Rob, and his sisters, Edwina and Helen.

Services and burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. & Victorian Crematory, Bellefonte. Online condolences may be made to the family at wetzlerfuneralhome.com