Thomas M Schroepfer

Dr. Thomas Michael Schroepfer passed away on December 31, 2023, surrounded by his entire family. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for over two years. Dr. Tom was born in Fargo, North Dakota on November 16, 1946, to Marjorie and Edward Schroepfer. His parents relocated to Milwaukee, WI where he lived until he was four years old. From there, the Schroepfer family moved to Antigo, WI where Dr. Tom graduated from high school in 1965. During his high school years, he excelled in sports, but most of all, he was an outstanding basketball player for the Antigo Red Robins. Dr. Tom was also an accomplished clarinet player where he learned the love of music from his father who was a professional musician. After high school, Dr. Tom attended UW Oshkosh, graduating in 1969 with a Business and Economics degree. Following college graduation, he worked for Artic Cat Distributors for about a year. During this period of Dr. Tom's life, he began his soul searching for a profession he felt he would be well suited for. He returned to UW Oshkosh and took the prerequisite courses needed to apply to various dental schools. He was accepted into Marquette University Dental School in 1971. In 1973, he married Connie Vandehey where they lived in Milwaukee until 1975 where he graduated from dental school. Dr. Tom started his own private practice in Marinette, WI serving dental patients for over 45 years. His son, Dr. Brian Schroepfer took over his dental practice in 2011 and daughter, Dr. Lindsey Schroepfer Dortch is practicing dentist in Colorado, continuing in their father's legacy. Dr. Tom was a member of the American Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association, and he along with his dental colleagues started the Marinette-Oconto Dental Society. He also started the children's dental health month program for local 3rd graders which has continued until today. Dr. Tom had numerous interests and hobbies, but most of all he loved fishing and deer hunting and this fall he shot the deer of a lifetime, a 17 point buck! In his later years, Dr. Tom took up cross county skiing, started doing competitive skiing and completed the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and the Nequemanon Marathon ski races several times. His competitive spirit continued on consequently in his love for swimming, biking, and running led him to participate in his first triathlon. He completed numerous triathlons as a senior competitor, then qualifying and finishing the NATIONAL Triathlon the last two years. The last one Dr. Tom completed was in August 2023 while undergoing chemo treatments. His ambition to help others to succeed also led him to mentoring kids of all ages. This gave him great pleasure, especially when his efforts paid off.
Tom is survived by his wife, Connie of 50 years; son, Dr. Brian Schroepfer; daughter, Dr. Lindsey Schroepfer (Eric) Dortch; three grandchildren: Madison, Piper, and Brady; brother, John Schroepfer (friend, Pam); sister in laws: Vicki Hendricks, Shirley Smith, Judy (Bob) Dahms, and Mary Vandehey; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 27th at Holy Family Parish – St. Joseph's Church on Carney Blvd from 11am-2pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2pm with Rev. Celestine Byekwaso officiating. Thielen Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the following: River Cities Community Pool (RCCP) http://rivercitiespool.org/, Marinette-Menominee YMCA https://mmymca.org/, The Boys and Girls Club https://thedar.ejoinme.org/donations?fbclid=IwAR1EUoKR00svtel2q0Cn_O8QaIVN1wDwUbiwtf7_ieIspnAVip6uY7L3Ud8, BAMC Cancer Center https://care.aurorabaycare.com/locations/aurora-medical-center-bay-area-marinette ; and Holy Family Parish https://holyfamparish.com/online-giving.