Thomas F. Looby II

Looby, Thomas F. II HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. Dr. Thomas F. Looby II, 84, of Hendersonville, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at Pardee Hospital, Hendersonville. Dr. Looby was born in Churubusco, N.Y., a small village on the Canadian border, and raised on his family's farm. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army, stationed in the Philippine Islands. Following his military service in 1946, he received a bachelor's degree from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y, in 1948 he earned a master's degree from the College for Teachers in Albany, N.Y. and in 1956, he earned his doctoral degree from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. That same year, while teaching history at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, N.Y., he met his bride of 50 years, Dorothy M. Zieres, who was a home economics teacher at the same high school. In 2004, Dorothy preceded Dr. Looby in death. Dr. Looby spent his life as a teacher and school administrator, serving as the superintendent of public schools in Patchogue, N.Y., Guilderland, N.Y., Lawrenceville, N.J. and Springfield, Ohio, before retiring to Hendersonville in 1985 after 37 years as a educator. During his retirement in Hendersonville, Dr. Looby was active in many ways. For some years, he was a National Park Service volunteer summer park ranger, working at the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, N.C. and at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. He was also active in his church, in the Rotary Club of Hendersonville, and in the Henderson County Hunger Coalition. A lifelong Democrat, he was for many years an officer of the Henderson County Senior Democrats. While he resided at Lake Pointe Landing, he organized various lecture series, and initiated a Parkinson Disease information and support group. He is survived by four sons, Daniel P. (Patti) Looby of Lawrenceville, Ga., Dr. Christopher J. Looby (Joseph Dimuro) of Los Angeles, Calif., Thomas F. (Kim) Looby III of Tampa, Fla. and John F. Looby of San Francisco, Calif. He is also survived by his sister, Katherine Taylor of Bel Air, Md.; as well as six grandchildren, Joshua E. Looby, Bree E. Looby, Lauren E. Looby, Megan E. Looby, Kaitlin K. Looby and Kara F. Looby. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 11 at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Churubusco with Rev. Howard McCasland officiating. Burial will take place in Immaculate Heart Cemetery, Churubusco. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Henderson County Hunger Coalition, P.O. Box 6151, Hendersonville, NC 28793-6151. An online register book is available to family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com Local arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.