Thomas P. Atwood

Thomas Patton Atwood, 86, died on Saturday, September 26, 2015 in Rockford, IL at Wesley Willows. Tom was born on May 16, 1929 to George and Catherine (Skellie) Atwood. He grew up in Rockford and graduated from West High School in 1946. Following high school Tom joined the US Army and later graduated from the University of Omaha. His time in the military was an outlet for his wanderlust; after leaving the Army Tom joined the US Air Force. He married Patricia Mittelstadt of Rockford on June 13, 1965. Together they lived in New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, Washington, and then returned to Rockford when Tom left the Air Force in 1973 after 20 years of service. Tom will be remembered for his sense of adventure—canoeing, biking, sailing, flying airplanes and gliders, and walking. He also read books, lots of books but always from the library, and was a student (though not a master) of music. Tom played the guitar and piano at home and sang in the Rockford Barbershop Chorus, the choir at the Unitarian Universalist Church, and for a short time with the Bards at Wesley Willows. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Pat; they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June of this year. A caring father, his daughters Polly (Don) Kahler of Rockford and Diane (Jon) Davis of Valparaiso, IN will miss the twinkle in his eye. Tom is also survived by five grandchildren, Ross and Jake Kahler of Rockford and Luke, Anna, and Tad Davis of Valparaiso. We would like to thank the staff of Kirk’s Place at Wesley Willows for their outstanding and compassionate care during the past 18 months when the outward signs of dementia overwhelmed Tom’s daily life. They were able to give Tom a safe place to walk (endlessly it seemed) and enough hats to keep things interesting.

A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2015; in the Chapel at Wesley Willows, 4141 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103, with Reverend Frank Ciprys officiating; with visitation at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Memorials can be made to Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund. Funeral arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103.