Thomas L. Bienek

Thomas L. Bienek, 69, of Cornville passed away March 28 in Cornville. He was born January 10, 1943 in Salem, Oregon to Leon A. Bienek and Evelyn (Montgomery) Bienek. He attended schools in Albany, Oregon and graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove. He served two years in the U.S. Army. He was a lifetime member of the Professional Golfers Association of America. Tom's professional golf career took him from Hawaii, Southern California, Michigan, and South Carolina, culminating as a Managing Partner and Director of Golf at Verde Santa Fe Golf Club in Cornville, Arizona. Tom received a lifetime achievement plaque acknowledging his 40-plus years as a PGA Golf Professional, inscribed as follows: "Dedicated to the ideal that the name 'Professional Golfer' shall be a synonym for honor, service and fair dealing, and that his professional integrity, fidelity to the game of golf and sense of responsibility to employers and employees, manufacturers and clients, and to his brother professionals, transcends the thought of material gain." He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Joan and brother-in-law Gordon Wibbens, as well as his parents-in-law, Herman and Delores Pederson. He leaves his wife Judy and son Cole Matthew. He is survived by brothers-in-law Mark, Gregg (Barb), and Reid (Connie) Pederson and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was an unassuming generous humanitarian, who shared his gifts and talents with many people throughout his life. His proudest achievements were being a loving husband to Judy and father to Cole. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. Services will be held at The Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona on Tuesday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Catalyst Foundation - creating a healing society. www.catalystfdn.org. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.