Kenneth Thomas' Obituary
Kenneth J. Thomas age 71 of Oshkosh passed away on 3-19-2009. He was born November 18, 1937, the son of Joseph and Kathryn Thomas. Kenneth married Carol Dobish on July 15, 1967. Kenneth was a member of Saint John Catholic Church in Oshkosh. He is survived by his wife, Carol and sons, Daniel (Becky) Thomas of Johnston, Iowa, and Joseph (J.J.) Thomas (fiancée Julia Adams) of Glenview, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Linda Thomas. Further survived by two lovely grandchildren Jacob and Elizabeth Thomas, sisters Janet Warwick, Reno, Nevada, and Maryann Schueller, Athens, Georgia, brothers in-law Donald (Mary) Dobish Oshkosh and Michael (Lynda) Dobish of Pinehurst, North Carolina, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ken loved and was very proud of his family.&nb sp; He graduated from UW-La Crosse and worked thirty five years in the University of Wisconsin System. From 1960 to 1968 he was Assistant Director at UW-Oshkosh Reeve Memorial Union, where he received his tenure in 1965. While at Oshkosh, Ken developed and initiated many Student Union programs such as Winter Carnival, art and photo contests, campus talent shows, and T.G.I.F programs. He also helped in the design and development of the Reeve Union Bowling Lanes and a bowling program which earned national recognition. Ken organized the first University of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Bowling Conference and coached the intercollegiate bowling team. Two of his bowlers won the national intercollegiate individual title. Gunnar Voltz and Adam Brouch now have their names inscribed on a special trophy located in the Bowling Hall of Fame in Saint Louis. Only four universities have won this most coveted intercollegiate bowling title more than once. Four of his teams qualified for national bowling championships and never finished lower than fifth place. One of his teams earned third place in national competition at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. They finished behind UCLA and the University of Te xas. During his stay at UW-Oshkosh, Ken represented Student Unions on the National Committee for Lifetime Sports. This committee was appointed by President Kennedy and the national chairperson was Bud Wilkenson. He also was Director for the Association of College Unions – International Region 8 Recreation Committee (Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan), and the A.B.C. Advisory Board for Intercollegiate Bowling. In 1968, he transferred to the new branch campus of UW-Oshkosh in Fond du Lac where he was appointed Director of the Student Union a responsibility he had until his retirement. He was able to operate three bookstores at intercollegiate campuses through his UW-Fond du Lac store. In 1970 UW-Fond du Lac was merged with the two-year Center System. During the succeeding years his work responsibilities expanded and changed. Some of the duties included Business Manager, Hazardous Waste Coordinator, Physical Education Instructor, Continuing Education Director, and coordinator for special events using the Campus facilities. His biggest pleasure was associating with the many students who attended the campus over the years. He enjoyed starting the Tri-Campus Blood Drive and serving on the Fond du Lac Red Cross Board of Directors. He found working with civic and Campus groups such as the Chamber of Commerce Communications Committee, Fond du Lac Winter Carnival, Jazz Festival, Jaycee State Conference, Madrigal Dinner, Pops Concert, and Audubon Society very rewarding. In 1995 Ken received UW-Extensions highest award for commitment in Extension Programming. His advice and a philosophy which he believed in was to look at challenges throughout life and attempt to solve them. It is better to meet these challenges by trying and giving your best effort. Even though there is a chance of failure, you will never know unless you try. He enjoyed participating in sports and was an avid Packer fan. He loved golf (five holes in one) was a member of Mascoutin Golf Club and the Weekenders Golf Organization. He looked forward to teaching bowling an d participating in leagues (300 game). After a 27 year absence from the sport he once again began bowling in leagues. A special thanks to the Senior bowlers in Fond du Lac who encouraged him to join their leagues.
Visitation will be held at Fiss & Bills Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Drive, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2009, followed by a light lunch. Private services for the family will be held at a later date with Father William Van De Kreeke officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established. Special thank you to the Theda Care Hospice Nurses, social worker, and volunteers.
Fiss & Bills Funeral Home 865 S. Westhaven Dr. - Oshkosh, WI 54904 920-235-1170 www.fissbillspoklasny.com
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