Thomas Smith
Thomas Smith passed away
unexpectedly on May 24, 2015, while walking in Campbellsport, WI, where he has
been living. Tom was the son of Dr. Ernest V. and Dorothy H. Smith. He was
preceded in death by his parents, and an older sister, Barbara Ann. Tom is
survived by three older siblings—brothers Ernest, Stephen and Richard; and a
sister, Katherine.
A graduate of Saint Patrick’s
grade school and Saint Mary’s Springs Academy in Fond du Lac, Tom attended
Marion College where he studied history. He later earned an Associate Degree in
Criminal Justice from Moraine Park Technical College.
An avid reader and German
history buff, Tom became interested in the exploits of the famed German
General, Erwin Rommel. In 2004 Tom authored a book on the General “Rommel & Knights Cross Holders of the
Third Reich.” He went on to write several fictional short stories. Then, in
2008, he published “The Invasion of
Hitler’s Atlantic Wall” in which he hypothesized that the Normandy Invasion
of June 6th 1944 failed and Germany went on to control all of
Europe. Tom followed that book in 2012 with a work of fiction “Flight From Justice.”
Tom was a friendly, outgoing
person who enjoyed wide-ranging discussions with those he met in his day-to-day
travels in Fond du Lac and, more recently, in Campbellsport. But, most of all,
he enjoyed talking with veterans of WWII about their experiences and exploits
during the war. And, if he met someone who served in Africa and faced Rommel
and his famed Afrika Korps—well, that always “made Tom’s day.” He will be
missed.
Interment will be in St.
Charles Cemetery. Tom had asked that any donations be made to the Solutions
Center or to National Church Residences in Fond du Lac.
Funeral arrangements are
being made by Zacherl Funeral Home and Crematory in Fond du Lac. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com