THOMAS SATHER

Thomas R. Sather, age 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 13, 2015. Tom was born in Bloomington, Minnesota on December 11, 1953 to Richard and A. Marion (Moe) Sather. Tom was a life-long fan of Minnesota sports including Wild and Gopher hockey, Vikings football, and Twins baseball. Summer was Tom's season, as it allowed Tom to do two of his favorite things: play golf and mow his lawn. It was a true source of pride for Tom that his lawn was always immaculately manicured and looked like a golf course. Tom set his schedule so he could golf every Wednesday afternoon with his Men's Day group at Ridgeway Golf Club and enjoyed golfing Saturday and Sunday mornings. While he was a very skilled golfer, he was also very humble and patient with those who weren't his equal. During his career, Tom had four hole-in-ones but said he was more excited about the eagles that he made. His favorite weekend every year was Ridgeway's member/guest event, when he would golf with his beloved son, Sam. They greatly anticipated every part of the weekend and had a ball planning their matching outfits. They each said those were their best four days of the year. Music was also an integral part of Tom's life, and he was a very talented trumpet player. As a high school student, he was named McDonald's Music Student of the Year. He attended University of Minnesota Twin Cities as a trumpet performance major. He had very fond memories of playing in the band, Open Road, and a highlight of his life was when they opened for Tower of Power, his favorite band. Locally, he played with many bands including the Swinging Angels, what he called "God's Rock and Roll Band" at Alliance Church, and most recently, Funk Band Incorporated (FBI). Tom loved funk, big band, and brass music and could hit the high notes until the last month of his life. There is nothing that Tom loved more than helping people. He had an entrepreneurial and visionary spirit and was able to incorporate those things into his businesses: Career Works Fox Valley and Leadership Ecademy. In a long and varied career that included serving as CEO of the Minneapolis Transit Authority, he was proud to help hundreds of people enhance their lives by improving their careers and professional and leadership skills. Politics and news were part of Tom's everyday life, and he had a true passion for them. While living in Minnesota, he was an alderman and the mayor of Arden Hills. Family was the most important thing in the world to Tom, and he always put them before himself. Tom had two children, Samuel (Sarah and their children Greta and Bennett), and Margaret Young (Matt and their children Elijah and Oliver) from his first marriage. On December 28, 2003, Tom married the love of his life, Sandy Drexler, and called his own her daughter Jessica Russel (TJ and their daughter Claire), and her mother, Betsy Stefl. Tom is also survived by his sister Merry Hunter and her children Elizabeth (Mathew Mann) and Robert (Alex Murga). He was deeply loved by "the boys," Rudy and Eddie. Most of the last days of Tom's life were spent in Florida, where he received loving care from the staff at Florida Hospital North Pinellas. Virtually every person who encountered Tom said that he was their favorite patient ever. Their kindness and care were greatly appreciated and allowed Tom to get back home, which was his greatest wish. The staff at Florida Hospital is truly a family, and they made Tom and Sandy part of it. There are too many people who were special to list them all, but know that we were touched by everything they did. The family would like to give special thanks to Mame Heaney and Tom Purdy, who found places for Sandy to live during this difficult time, and to Brian Matye for loaning Sandy his little red truck. During the journey, Drs. Ben Duffy, Nate Grunwald, Greg Long, and Dean Gruner were a source of immeasurable knowledge and comfort. We can't thank them enough for their care, medical expertise, and love. We don't know how we would have made it without them. Once he arrived back in the Fox Cities, the ICU staff at Appleton Medical Center made painless Tom's last days. His family invites you to join us in celebrating Tom's life with a funeral service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Appleton Alliance Church, 2693 Grand Chute Blvd, Appleton, with Rev. Brian Dainsberg officiating. The visitation will be held Friday from 5:00-8:00 PM at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home, and again at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in his name. Thank you to everyone who sent love, prayers and support. We could feel your hugs from afar.