Tom Walmsley

Tom Walmsley, 84, died September 8 in Corvallis, Oregon, where he had resided for more than 20 years. Tom came to Corvallis to marry Ilene Kleinsorge, and shortly after arriving there, he took a job teaching religion, philosophy, and ethics courses at Linn Benton Community College. After teaching nearly 7500 students over 23 years, his last course in spring term 2012, Tom resigned his position three weeks ago. Born December 26, 1927 in Lovington, IL to Herbert Minnick Walmsley and Thelma Newport Pargeon, Tom had an older sister, Jean, and lived much of his life in the Midwest. With degrees from Duke University and the University of Chicago, as well as a doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he worked in a variety of jobs over his long life, including as a parish minister in many churches, as a golf coach, as a professor in the original Teacher Corps Program at Emporia State University, as Alcohol Safety Action Program Director, and as a personnel manager at Iowa Beef Packers. Prior to coming to Corvallis, Tom spent 8 years as Director of the Ecumenical Christian Ministries at Emporia State University. Friends and family agree that Tom was known as an athlete and for his skill in tennis and golf; as a lover of performance arts who was a regular in local theater and music productions and choirs; and as a master of dialogue with a curiosity unmatched by most. He had a passion for discourse and the Socratic method and wanted to interact and challenge anyone and everyone just for the sake of the interaction. But he found his greatest joy in the classroom, and he was fond of saying he was looking for diamonds in the rough and helping them to shine. He was an optimist whose curiosity about the interface between science and religion drove a passion for inquiry and constant search for solutions. His volunteer efforts included current board membership with the Timberhill Tennis Club and past board membership at the Majestic Theatre and Willamette STAGE Company. Tom is survived by his wife Ilene Kleinsorge; children Pam King, Jeannie Johnson, Joy Ruff (and Derrick), Tommy Walmsley, Amy Thompson (and Ryan), Matt Gonzales (and Marleah); 9 grandchildren; sister Jean Bergstrom; three nieces and one dog, Birdie. A Celebration of a Well Lived Life will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday September 15th followed by a reception, both at the Corvallis Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Tom Walmsley Endowment for the Performing Arts at the Oregon State University Foundation.

Tributes

Tom Walmsley

December 26, 1927 - September 8, 2012