Stockdale, Thomas 1933 – 2018
Thomas Michael Stockdale, 85, passed away peacefully late Saturday evening October 13, 2018 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Born May 14, 1933 in Sandusky, Ohio, Tom was the son of Harold W. Stockdale and Elizabeth Smith Stockdale. 
He was an avid professor and student mentor at The Ohio State University where he received two service-to-student awards. He especially enjoyed the outdoors, playing golf, The Ohio State University sporting events and lived a life devoted to extensive community service. Tom was a graduate of Sandusky High School, class of 1951, and The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology – Wildlife Management (1955) and Master of Science Zoology (1959). 
He was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the U.S. Army (Artillery) in 1955 following completion of the ROTC program. Tom served with the National Guard as well as the 287th Field Artillery Battalion, Dachau, Germany where he was a member of the 287th Artillery Battalion golf team. He joined the faculty of The Ohio State University Extension Service as Wildlife Specialist in 1960 and retired as Professor Emeritus, University Extension and School of Natural Resources in 1988. Tom was active in many professional and community organizations. He served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus from 1978-2018 and Chairman of the Board of Directors for two years. Tom also served on the American Red Cross Midwest Regional Committee where he presided as Committee Chairman. Tom was involved in many other community work including: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Board of Directors, 30 years of dedicated service to the Ohio State 4-H Conservation Camp, Memorial Tournament Volunteer for Children’s Hospital, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Advisory Council and 40 years of service with the Republican Central Committee. He helped start the Women’s Crew Club at OSU and was their first faculty advisor.
He was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the U.S. Army (Artillery) in 1955 following completion of the ROTC program. Tom served with the National Guard as well as the 287th Field Artillery Battalion, Dachau, Germany where he was a member of the 287th Artillery Battalion golf team. He joined the faculty of The Ohio State University Extension Service as Wildlife Specialist in 1960 and retired as Professor Emeritus, University Extension and School of Natural Resources in 1988. Tom was active in many professional and community organizations. He served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus from 1978-2018 and Chairman of the Board of Directors for two years. Tom also served on the American Red Cross Midwest Regional Committee where he presided as Committee Chairman. Tom was involved in many other community work including: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Board of Directors, 30 years of dedicated service to the Ohio State 4-H Conservation Camp, Memorial Tournament Volunteer for Children’s Hospital, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Advisory Council and 40 years of service with the Republican Central Committee. He helped start the Women’s Crew Club at OSU and was their first faculty advisor.Tom is survived by his brother, Robert H. Stockdale (Susan) of Sandusky; their children, Beth Stockdale Short (Andy) of Athens, GA, Steve Stockdale (Kimmy) of Aurora, OH and Karen Stockdale Herold (Greg) of Findlay, OH; grand-nieces and nephews; and many professional and personal friends, especially Linda Zoundas and Sara McNealy of Columbus, OH. A family memorial service is being planned for November.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on Oct. 18, 2018