Thomas Jacob Gerteisen

1943 - 2025

Thomas Jacob Gerteisen

October 21, 1943 - January 21, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina - Thomas Gerteisen, devoted husband, father, son, brother, mentor, and friend, died at home with family holding him on January 21, 2025. Tom was born in 1943 in Owensboro, KY to Jacob and Gladys Gerteisen, and was the eldest of six siblings. After earning a PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, he began his teaching career at Brescia College in Owensboro, KY, where he met and married Jane Gerteisen (Langan). Students and faculty were always welcome in his office and home and became part of his life-long family of friends, a circle that widened as he later taught at University of Pittsburg-Bradford and Columbus College. His family further grew with the arrival of daughter Jennifer (1976) and son Nicholas (1981). In 1987 he moved to Boston, where he spent his remaining career in the pharmaceutical industry, travelling globally, mentoring colleagues, and making friends wherever he went. As his children grew, he became and remains to this day "Dad" to many of their friends. In 2004 he retired to Raleigh, NC, where he earned the new title "Papaw" with the arrival of grandchildren Oscar, Penelope, and James ("Sev"). He also began ballroom dancing, giving a whole new dimension to his life and adding more wonderful friends to his circle.

Every path he travelled and person he met was an opportunity to learn and share his knowledge and add to his family. He was a life-long teacher, mentor, and friend, and left the world a better place. He loved the beach, and was infinitely patient with colicky babies.

At Tom's request there will be no formal service but hopefully stories will be told and glasses raised at gatherings of friends. If you wish to remember Tom, he was a long-time supporter of Covenant House Illinois, Habitat for Humanity, and the ACLU.

You may also honor his memory by simply taking time to be a friend and mentor to those in your own circle, and letting that circle grow.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Jake and Gladys Gerteisen of Owensboro; brothers Michael (Glenda) of Houston, and Sam (Lisa) of Owensboro, and sister Mary Lynn Brickler (Joe) of Cincinnati.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Jane (Langan) Gerteisen; daughter Jennifer Marks (Brian) of Raleigh, NC and son Nick Gerteisen (Jessica) of North Andover, MA; grandchildren Oscar, Penelope, and James Severide; numerous nieces and nephews; and surrogate family far and wide including Jack Owens (Lorraine, Taylor, and Clara), and Sharif Butler and Santiago Vazques.