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Thomas Kent Sieg

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Nebraska Wesleyan University University of Utah

Thomas Sieg Obituary

Thomas K. Sieg 1937 ~ 2008 Thomas Kent Sieg, legendary restaurateur of Salt Lake City, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 28th, 2008.One of the founding partners of Gastronomy, he was a pioneer of fine dining in Utah. Born in Lexington, Nebraska on April 5th, 1937, to Earl and Virgie Sieg, Tom was raised on a farm and learned the meaning of hard work at an early age. He graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1959 and was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. After graduating, he was a field secretary for his fraternity and established new chapters throughout the country. From 1961 to 1963, Tom served in the navy as the admiral's assistant in Coronado, California. Returning to Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1963, he was Director of Development for three years. Tom moved to Salt Lake City with his family in 1966 and was hired as Associate Director of Development by the University of Utah. He eventually became Director of Development and was outstanding as a fundraiser, bringing together alumni and benefactors who made major contributions to the University of Utah and its many fine programs. Tom was also a lifelong supporter of the Utah Symphony, Utah Opera, and Ballet West, and enjoyed hosting fund raising parties at his home for numerous arts organizations. In 1978, Tom left his career in higher education to pursue a dream. Along with partner John Williams, they opened the New Yorker restaurant and started a new era of sophistication for cuisine in the metropolitan area of Salt Lake City. Tom's wonderful spirit and gracious, welcoming personality were major factors in his success. All who knew him looked forward to his greeting when they entered The New Yorker restaurant and his presence there will be dearly missed. Since the opening of the New Yorker, Gastronomy has opened other successful eateries across the Salt Lake Valley, including the Market Street Grill and Market Street Oyster Bar restaurants. Tom is survived by his sister, Sherry Pederson (Dean) of Fort Collins, Colorado; his brother, Ken Sieg (Laurie) of Lincoln, Nebraska; his former wife, Melissa Miller of Seattle, Washington; two sons, Stephen Bradford Sieg and Erik Thomas Sieg (Lisa); two grandsons, Alexander Russell Berg and Lucas Thomas Sieg. The family wishes to thank the many doctors, nurses and caregivers from Salt Lake Regional Hospital, St. Joseph's Villa and Brighton Gardens who assisted Tom. They are greatly appreciated. Friends are invited to join the family at the New Yorker restaurant, 60 Market Street on Sunday February 3rd from 1-3 p.m. for a celebration of Tom's life. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Sieg

21 Entries

Penni Bart

February 16, 2008

My condolences on Tom's passing to his entire family, I had the privilege of knowing and working with Him for 22 years. I know we wil all miss Him. God bless yopu all.

Craig Wright

February 6, 2008

Tom will be missed. He was a great and kind man. I grew up skiing with Steve and running around their old beautiful house in Salt Lake City. Some great memories.

Dave Moss

February 6, 2008

Oh my!!! I feel very sad hearing this news of Tom's death!! I helped Tom and John with the opening of the New Yorker Club. I believe I was one of the first Wait Staff to be hired. I worked with Tom at The New Yorker all through my college days and years at the UofU. Tom was like a father to me!! I loved Tom Sieg!! He always treated me with respect, kindness and encouragement for my own success in college and in life!!! Tom was a fine gentleman and role model. He was a man of integrity and vision. Hello to Steve and Eric!! I loved your dad!!! His memory will always be with me and inspire me to be a better man!! Please say hello in email. With this news I have reflected on all those incredible times we all shared in the early days of the New Yorker Club!! Some of the best times in my life!! Thank you Tom Sieg for the memories and sharing the New Yorker Club experience with me and our New Yorker family!!!

Sincerely,

Dave Moss

Mike DeHaan

February 5, 2008

I did not know Tom as well as the rest of the Gastronomy's founders but my interaction with him was always cordial and very friendly. I was a associate of his along with Tom and Johns for 15 years before leaving. I know the loss of my former employers (Family) with mutilple losses in the last 10 years and hope for peace for Tom's Sons and family. I always enjoyed going to his home to assist in his entertainment of guests as well as interacting with his sons during these. I know the family mourns along with his business parters in his passing. I know all of Salt Lake will miss his presence which says a lot about the man and I know that John and Tom will continue what the three of them have built. May the family know that he is in a better place and that the health he was missing in these last years if finally beside him and that he can finally rest in peace.

Penni Schumann

February 4, 2008

We will not only miss seeing your Tom, but we will also his gracious greetings, kind words and fabulous jokes.
With love,
Penni and Jon Schumann

Chip Bornemeier

February 4, 2008

All,
I worked for Tom at one of his restaurants, and always appreciated his kindness and generosity, and we became good friends. He even opened up his fabulous home as a reception venue when I got married, and it was a fantastic event. I've never met a man as giving as he, and I will miss him very much. We would all do well to learn from his example, and strive to make other people as happy as he did. Thanks Tom.

Pat and Larry Rittgarn

February 4, 2008

It was such a shock to learn of Tom's passing.
He lived life to the fullest and died doing what he loved.
Our thoughts and prayers to Steve, & Eric, and Melissa and we wish you the best.
We wished we could have been with you for the celebration but we hope you will understand.

Carole & Cal Drecksel

February 3, 2008

Dear Melissa, Eric and Steven,
We mourn the loss of Tom. He was a most wonderful and generous man and we were always disapponted if he wasn't there at the bar when we dined at the New Yorker.
He was a man of pure class and style! We got more than our share of Olympic pins from him, and we had fun adding to his collection of apples when we spotted a unique one. He was in our thoughts a lot!!!
We will miss him. Much love to you all!
Carole and Cal Drecksel

Lynne and Jim Allred

February 2, 2008

Eric, your dad was all class. This is a great loss for you and us.

Brent & Phyllis Park

February 2, 2008

Erik, Melissa & Steve...
Losing a parent is one of the hardest things we face in life. In hearing about Tom's passing, I thought about losing my own father and was drawn back in time when things now seemed much less complicated and problems appeared so much easier to overcome. In looking back, I have so many great memories of the times I spent at Tom's house, not to mention all the countless "raids" we made on the New Yorker Club over the years. Tom was always the consummate host both at home and at the club, and put up with things that any normal dad would have drawn and quartered their kids (and their friends) for! I also have great memories of camping out in the front room at Melissa's in Seattle with Erik and all our friends on an impromptu road trip we all took one year. You were always made to feel welcome at their homes and were treated like one of the family whenever you were there. I feel very privileged to have been able to know all of the family and many of their friends that were often enjoying the Sieg’s hospitality. I offer my sincere thanks for all the wonderful friendship you have shown me over the years, and look forward to keeping in touch and creating even more great memories in the future. Our love and thoughts are with you - may God be with you now and always, and bring you and your family all the best life has to offer!
Brent & Phyllis

Kathy Garcia

February 2, 2008

It was i real pleasure to know Tom . I worked in the at the Oyster bar for three years and enjoyed his humor and sweet smile ,Tom you will be dearly missed now you can have any color of apple you wish. My the Goddess guide you Blessed Be.

Tommi Rosenberg

February 1, 2008

Tom was a dear friend and neighbor to my fabulous Aunt Alice(Jensen). When I was in SLC, she and I would always dine at the New Yorker and Tom was always the most wonderful fun. An era has passed...

Marla Cavallaro

January 31, 2008

Tom
It was a joy to have known you and be close to a part of your family. Your pleasant and friendly smile along with your witty humor will be missed. I feel honored to have known you and have Erik as a part of my family. I love you all. Take Care until we see you again.

Andre Ramjoue

January 31, 2008

Tom and his family have been good friends for 38 years we will miss him dearly!We wish all the best for his family at this difficult time!We love you!Andre Ramjoue and Trisha Empey.

mark smith

January 31, 2008

Eric and Steve. Been a few years since we worked on Tom's home, and business. We have great memories of the different projects and how great he always treated us. Was a great asset to the community.
All the best, will miss him.
Robert Herzog & Mark Smith

Troy C. Gottfredson

January 31, 2008

Thank you Tom, for your kindness and the great food. You will be missed.

Richard S. Adams

January 31, 2008

We will miss you Thomas. This Community says goodbye to one of its greatest assets. Thanks to all the Sieg family for always being such great hosts to me and my family.

Coby Carlson

January 31, 2008

I was very saddened to hear such unfortunate news this week. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family, specifically his boys. I wish I had more chances to see or speak to Tom over the past 5 years. All the best from me and my family.

Elizabeth Crowder

January 31, 2008

Dear Melissa, Steve and Eric, I am so saddened to hear of Tom's death. Bridget called me this morning to tell me because I don't read the paper. My heart is very, very sad for him and all of you. I realized he had been sick, recovered and sick again but I did not know how sick he was. My heartfelt wishes to all of you. Tom was a very good man and will be sorely missed by all. I am so sorry. Liz Crowder

Ronalee Ellis

January 31, 2008

Dear Sieg Family,
Sorry about Mr. Sieg's passing.
He was my landlord at the house on Main Street when I lived in the mother-in-law downstairs. He'd call me at least once or twice a month to make sure everything was all right. No other landlord has ever done that for me. He was very nice and kind to me, and I really appreciated that alot.
My condolences,
Ronalee

Patricia Sargeant

January 31, 2008

Eric, Melissa, & Steve,
Tom will be sorely missed always.
He was blessed to have each of you.
All my love,
Patty Sargeant

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