Thomas J. Speelhoffer

Thomas J. Speelhoffer of East Norriton passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025. Born on July 11, 1946, he was the loving son to the late Francis and Carolyn Speelhoffer (nee McGrogan).
Thomas was a devoted teacher in Marple School District for many years and proud graduate of Villanova University. In his free time, he enjoyed shows at the Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Thomas loved indulging in his favorite TV shows on his "magic couch". In his younger years, Thomas lived in Munich and explored his roots in Germany. He traveled through Germany with ease alongside dear friends as he was fluent in German! Above all, his greatest joy was his family and friends.
Thomas was a cherished son, dear brother to the late Frances Spielhoffer, best friend to Doug and Greg, as well as his neighbors Josie and Frank Volpe. He is survived by his cousins Eileen and Paulette and countless friends. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
Relatives and friends are invited to Thomas' Life Celebration on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 10 am to 10:50 am with his Funeral Mass to follow at 11 am all at St. Titus Church of East Norriton, 3006 Keenwood Rd. Interment to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery of East Norriton.
Services for Thomas are entrusted to Boyd Horrox Givnish Life Celebration Home of East Norriton.
To share your fondest memories of Thomas, please visit www.lifecelebration.com, 610-277-7000.
Please read below an article published, written by Fred Marks, in honor of Thomas as the recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.
"NORRISTOWN, PA, May 15, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Thomas John Michael Speelhoffer with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Speelhoffer celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Retired from a very rewarding career in education, Mr. Speelhoffer taught mathematics, German and a few computer courses within Marple Newtown School District in Newtown Square, PA, for 36 years between 1971 and 2007. He formerly taught mathematics at Beeville Independent School District in Texas from 1970 to 1971, while serving as a VISTA Volunteer in South Texas. First influenced by his father's best friend, who spoke German, he chose to study German in high school and, becoming more and more intrigued by various cultures, he decided to take part in a Junior Year Abroad program in Vienna, Austria in 1967-68, when he intensified his German studies. After an initial sabbatical in Munich, West Germany, in 1981-82, he continued to travel to Europe extensively, particularly to Germany in the next two decades.
During the early 1980s, Mr. Speelhoffer taught various courses at Radio Shack Computer Centers in both Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, PA, as well as at a Tandy Computer Center in Munich, Germany, during his first sabbatical. He also taught adult education courses in mathematics at the State Correctional Institution in Graterford, PA, as well as alternative ed evening courses at Marple Newtown High School. He is the author of two computer programming books for children and translator of three German screenplays into English, "Die Spinne", "Wurdilak", and "Pink Triangle Jew". Mr. Speelhoffer also did editing work for two professional journals, "Arithmetic Teacher" and "Mathematics Teacher".
Involved with the Parent Teacher Organization for many years, where he served on the executive committee, Mr. Speelhoffer also served on the superintendent's district advisory council, and is a past president and was chairman of various committees for the Marple Newtown Education Association. He served in various capacities for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, as well, and attended conventions of the National Education Association a number of times. He is a lifetime member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, as well as of the Fulbright Association.
Mr. Speelhoffer holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Villanova University since 1969 and a Master of Science in Humanistic Education from Marywood College since 1979. He later completed postgraduate work at various schools including Temple University in Philadelphia, and West Chester University in West Chester, PA, followed by a second Master of Science degree, this one in Instructional Technology at Philadelphia University in 2000. During a second sabbatical, he completed French courses at the Institut Français in Munich, Germany in 1989-90. He was a certified secondary school teacher for both mathematics and German in Pennsylvania. Receiving several grants from the National Science Foundation during the 1970s and a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Grant to teach in Remagen, Germany from 1988 to 1989, Mr. Speelhoffer has been cited in several editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in the East and Who's Who in the World.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Thomas John Michael Speelhoffer has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com." To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas, please visit our floral store.