Thomas Vaughn Caughlan, 71
Thomas Vaughn Caughlan, 71, physician, husband, father, and friend to many, died at home of natural causes on October 24, 2022.
Tom was born on February 16, 1951, at the Merced, California, army base to Jean Beno Caughlan and Eugene "Red" Caughlan. He was the second of three children. He grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
As a physician, Tom was known for both his keen intellect and his compassionate patient care. He attended undergraduate and medical school at the University of Iowa where he also pursued his residency in Internal Medicine. He was board certified in Internal Medicine. He practiced at the Dean Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. He went on to obtain board certifications in Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Medicine as well. His intellect made him a brilliant diagnostician, well respected by his peers.
His compassion and kindness quickly won his patients’ confidence and he never betrayed that confidence. He was passionately committed to his patients. He was a good listener, and fiercely protected all patients’ privacy. While he was a compassionate practitioner, he often did not mince words as he helped patients make the changes necessary for good health.
He knew that his patients’ health often affected their extended families, so it’s not surprising that Tom was most proud of initiating the hospice program in Kalispell. It was through his career that he met Dr. Barbara Gutschenritter. They met in Madison, Wisconsin, where they fell in love, married, and welcomed their son Ryan.
Tom and Barbara moved to Kalispell in 1987. He was an outdoor enthusiast and superb athlete. He ran track at the University of Iowa. He loved family camping and biking vacations, and he taught Ryan to ski, and to canoe on Flathead Lake.
Every spring break, they camped and biked in Moab, Utah. He cherished outdoor adventures with his friends, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, basically exploring Glacier National Park and the world at large every way possible.
After retiring in 2013, his greatest joy was taking his grandsons Adlai and Atikiss biking, skiing, hiking, and canoeing on Flathead Lake while showering them with love. He was so proud of the father Ryan had become.
Tom is survived by his wife and life companion, Barbara; his son, Ryan; his grandson, Adlai; and step-grandson Atikiss; his sister and brother-in-law, Nora and Scott Bergen; brothers and sisters-in-law, of the Gutschenritter family; as well as nieces and nephews of the Caughlan and Gutschenritter families.
Both Barbara and Ryan appreciate all the expressions of support they have received.
A celebration of Tom's life will be held August 24, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell, Montana. The celebration will be 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., with a brief program at 3 p.m. Everyone who has been touched by Tom’s life and practice is welcome to attend, share memories and celebrate Tom’s life. Kindly RSVP to bagutsch@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, Tom would have loved a donation made in his name to the Foys to Blacktail Trail, where he walked his dog Gracie every day. Checks can be made to FTBT and mailed to; PO Box 81, Kalispell, MT 59903.