Thomas 'Tom' Sears Rich, 85
Thomas 'Tom' Sears Rich, 85, passed away June 14, 2023 at Logan Health in Kalispell, at the age of 85. He was the oldest child of the late Dr. James Sears and Josephine (Bouchard) Rich, born Feb. 1, 1938 in Effingham, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Percy and Helen Speed. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy); their two sons, Joseph of Queens, New York, and James (Maura) of Omaha, Nebraska; his granddaughter, Margaret Leah of Omaha, Nebraska; his sister, Jeanne (Bob) Clark of Bothell, Washington.
After moving about during World War II with his parents, in 1948 Tom went to Lexington, Kentucky. Graduating from University High in 1956, lettering in basketball, track, swimming and band. Tom having held his first chair in trumpet, was in all-state band one year, as well as a glee club member. He held positions of vice president of the senior class and president of student council, and attended Boys State which was sponsored by the American Legion.
Tom graduated in 1960, from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, with a BA in chemistry. While in college he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and an eminent scribe. He graduated with BSChe (chemical engineering) from the University of Kentucky in 1965.
After serving two years in the Army as PFC in Huntsville, Alabama (Army Missile Command). He married Elizabeth in 1965 in Lexington, Kentucky, and worked as registered chemical engineer at Pennwalt Corp. in Calvert City, Kentucky from 1965 until 1973.
Duties included, engineering, production, R & D and maintenance. He became a member of Management Club and was secretary for one term. Also during his time with Pennwalt, he won the company golf trophy one year.
Attending graduate school in Nashville, Tennessee in 1973. Tom was awarded a master's degree in social work in 1975. He then worked at the Nashville Veterans Administration Hospital for 25 years until retirement in 2000 as coordinator of Nursing Home Program Inspections. He was assistant scout master for BSA Troop 42 for many years, and also a volunteer in the prison reading program.
He was a volunteer for Crisis Intervention Center and awarded their first community service award. He held the position of secretary for the Metro Social Service Club, and was a member of NASW. He served several years as board member of the Tennessee Writers Alliance, published many poems in literary magazines and his work was nominated for the 2002 Pushcart Prize.
Tom and Betsy moved to West Glacier in 2002 to retire. He was an avid golfer, fisherman, and hiker, shooting his age of 71 on June 10, 2009. He attended St. Richards Parish.
Tom's service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21 at St. Richards Parish. With burial at St. Richards Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Red Cross and/or American Cancer Foundation.