More Memories of Tom

Dear Sylvia & Susanne,

I cannot tell you how sad I am about your father's death. I have nothing but good memories about him---he was such an impressive man, good father and a kind soul. I know that you brought him so much joy in his life and he wouldn't want you to be sad, ever.

What a blessing that RoseAnn and her family got to see him before he died. I think it's really important that he got one last chance to be with family before he passed on.

Much love,
Tiffany

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Rocky and I were both so saddened to hear that such an amazing person has left the earth. You know, I really don't have any relationship with the parents of any of my other friends ... but your mom and dad are both so special. They are family to so many of us that love them. I will truly miss your dad, and only wish I had tape recorded his adventure stories. I could sit and listen to him forever.
Please let me know how I can help with the service, I know it can't be easy to plan from out of state. Of course I will definitely be there.
I love ya sister, and all my heart and prayers are with you right now,
Love Kirsten

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Hi Susanne,

I am sorry to learn the loss of your father. He has interesting stories from his travels. When I look at Japanese lock/key set and read the History of English Literature from time to time, they reminded me of your dad's generosity.

Ann P

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Susanne & Family,

My condolences on the loss of your Father. Our thoughts go out to you and yours. I wanted you to know that I will always remember your Dad, laughing to the point where he was almost in tears, as we ate breakfast together at your house in Anchorage. He was telling us a joke where "Bo-fus" was the punch-line.

I remember being intimidated by him most of the time because of his seriousness, but this one time, he really made us all laugh. What was most funny was the fact that he couldn't get to the punch-line without breaking down in laughter. That experience, in itself, was more entertaining than the actual joke.

--John

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We had the pleasure of knowing Tom for over seventeen years, and are so grateful that he enriched the quality of our lives, and that of so many others. We have so many wonderful memories of this extremely stong, articulate man, who would entertain us with stories of his adventures. While Edith cooked amazing meals, Tom would talk and keep throwing logs (he had chopped with an axe) on the big fire at Hastings.

No snow blower for this hardy outdoors man, he always cleared his large driveway with a shovel. Those of us who know and love Edith, are well aware that it would take someone very special for her to marry, and Tom was that man.
Our hearts and tears go out to you and the whole family, and we hope you find joy and peace from the memories and large imprint Tom Taylor left on the world.
With big warm hugs,
Anne & Mike Bridges

Obituary and Memorial Service Information

Thomas E. Taylor

Thomas “Tom” Edwin Taylor, 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a long fight with Alzheimer’s, on July 17, in Las Vegas, NV. He was born and raised in Telluride, Colorado, the son of Dr. Edwin and Hester Taylor.

After graduating from high school he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder. In 1942 he enlisted into the Navy and fought for two years in WW II before finishing his BS degree at the expense of the Navy. He went on for his master’s degree and received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant, but had to leave the university to reenter the Navy to fight in the Korean War. A year later he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

At the end of the war he left the Navy and started working for the Federal Government, the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado. He retired in 1993 after 42 years of service. While working for the U.S.G.S. he volunteered for four seasons in the Antarctica, seven summers in Alaska, and served 2 _ years in Jidda, Saudi Arabian, on loan to the Ministry of Petroleum. Tom returned to Alaska in 1975 and was a recognized expert on Alaskan Place Names. He served at the pleasure of the Governor for many years on the Alaskan Historical Commission.

Tom was very active in several local engineering societies and in 1998 was elected into the Hall of Fame of the Alaska Surveying and Mapping Society. He was a great mountain climber who conquered many high peaks including Mt Kenya.

Tom was an avid coin collector who participated in many local events. In 1966, while returning from his Saudi Arabian duty, he met his wife, Edith, in Salzburg, Austria. Tom is survived by his wife of 41 years, Edith, his three daughters, RoseAnn Platt, Susanne Taylor, and Sylvia Taylor, son- in -law Robert Platt, and four grandchildren Isabelle 10, Thomas 9, Stephanie 8, and Sophia 5.

Tom will be laid to rest at the Fort Richardson Veteran Memorial Cemetery, on Friday, August 29, at 2:30 PM. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Alaska Pacific University where Edith will be setting up a scholarship in Tom's name. Edith’s address: 2336 Hot Oak Ridge St. Las Vegas, NV 89134.

Tom, adventures and photos

Even at a young age, Tombo, was always exploring, climbing mountains and getting into mischief. I've uploaded a few images of him that demonstrate that.

He had many adventures that involved getting in trouble for things he didn't do (but was associated with so much trouble people assumed it was him). He never intended to get into a mess, but was extremely curious about how things worked and why, that he took things apart and sometime couldn't put them back together (good thing he went to school to become an engineer). He was always game to try something knew and was a good calculated risk taker, maybe less so as he got older (or more calculating?).

He was also pretty patient as you see (he had three girls, I don't think he had a choice). Growing up the middle child of three and the only boy, he learned pretty quickly not to mess with his older sister and too be patient with his younger one. Although he often got both of them into trouble as well.

They all shared a love of photography, but especially my dad (I have four of his old cameras, which are in extremely good condition). Not only was he pretty good at being the model (where he crafted a pretty goofy smile), but also took many of the photos in the several photo albums we have of his childhood. Mostly he took slide photos, of the places, and mountains he loved to visit and explore.

Let's Remember the Adventure Lived

Welcome to Tom's blog. It was created for those who knew and loved him to share the wonderful memories and stories lived by an extraordinary man. Please feel free to share stories he told you, or others you might have about him. Our dad was a private person, not one to boast, so most of the most memorable childhood stories we have heard about him were told to us by his little sister, our Aunt Carol.

Please feel free to comment on stories or share your own memories of when you knew him. If you have photos, please contribute those too.

Thanks for sharing and helping us remember Tom: father, husband, grandfather, brother, friend, traveler, and mountain climber.
With love, his daughter,
Sylvia

Comments from Friends Along Way

Tom Taylor remembered by our friends from college:

"Hi from the back of a Saigon taxi.

I am really sorry to hear about your dad; he definitely had a long, adventurous life. I still remember his daily ride on the exercise bike in your basement, followed by a bowl of ice cream. Talk about good life balance!

Please pass along my condolences to your mom and sisters.

Yours, Keir"

"Your father was a kind and remarkable man. I was around him most during our Junior/Senior year of high school and I have to say he had a great nature to put up with a bunch of crazy high school girls showing up at your house at all hours. I have fond memories of us gathered around your kitchen table enjoying great conversations, your dad would sometimes contribute and other times he would be the "fly on the wall" to who knows what we were discussing. I look forward to reading more about his remarkable life. Certainly his greatest achievement was raising three beautiful and successful girls and I am sure he took great pride in that. I hope your mom is comforted by his memories as well.

Lynn Murray (Chambers)"

" I am sorry to hear about your loss. He was such a great man and had a wonderful family and life."

-Lorilee Toomey