Thomas F. Brock

Thomas Francis Brock died September 12, 2024, at home, surrounded by his daughters and wife. He was born April 30, 1950, to Roberts F. and Mary Gene (Weisman) Brock in Lafayette, Indiana. He married Jan L. Robbins August 26, 1972. Tom graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette and from Purdue University with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering (1972) and from Indiana University with an MBA (1974).

Tom and Jan moved to Onalaska in 1974 when Tom started with The Trane Company. He was a member of the 1974-II graduate training program. Upon completion of the training program, he began his career in product marketing and remained at Trane for 29 years with positions in marketing, sales office acquisitions, sales office operations and the aftermarket business unit. He completed his career at Trane as Vice President, GM of the Aftermarket Business Unit. In 2003, Tom started a new chapter in his career at the Trane Federal Credit Union. One of his first assignments was his involvement in changing the name to Altra Federal Credit Union. During his career at the credit union, he had responsibility for Human Resources, Marketing, Information Systems, the Member Contact Center, Altra Financial Advisors, the Altra Foundation, Facilities and construction projects. Also, he was responsible for the major addition to the Onalaska Operations Center, construction of ten new branches and the remodeling of three branches. Trane and Altra were the only two places Tom ever worked in his 45-year career and he felt fortunate to have worked with many great people.

Tom and Jan have both been involved in the community and Tom’s involvement included three different tenures on the La Crosse Community Theatre Board for a total of 16 years, serving as its President during his last term and on the facility committee for construction of the Weber Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, he served on the United Way Board and chaired the Funds Distribution Committee; Viterbo Advisory Board; the Gundersen Foundation Board including the Executive Committee, Investment, Development & CMN committees; the Family and Children’s Center Board; and, with Jan, co-chaired the Annual Community Campaigns for United Way and United Fund for the Arts. Tom was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club for 20 years, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the La Crosse Country Club for 31 years where he served on the Board for six years and as its President for two years. Tom was also a member of the Trane 25-year club.

Tom loved to golf and he was a life-long Purdue fanatic who loved going to Purdue football and basketball games. He also liked going to Packer football games and followed the New Orleans Saints when Purdue player Drew Brees was quarterback. Tom and Jan were fortunate to attend several professional golf tournaments over the years.

Tom and Jan were able to travel many places around the world before retirement and Jan kept him traveling after retirement. They loved to see Broadway shows and locally were supporters of the Viterbo Fine Arts Center programs, the Community Theatre, the Symphony and the Heider Center.

Tom was very proud of the three women in his life – his wife Jan, and his daughters Katharine and Elizabeth. He was always very proud of Jan’s many accomplishments in the community and of both daughters and followed their careers closely. He was very proud to add his most important title of grandpa in 2021.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jan, of 52 years; his daughters Katharine (Jason Oppenheimer) of Atlanta and Elizabeth (Patrick Jones) of Portland, OR; grandchild, Zoe; sisters Jane Brock-Wilson of Boston, Peggy Santos (Ed) of Hayden, ID and brother Robert Brock (Amy Hillenbrand) of San Antonio; nieces and nephews Casey (Mark), Steffi, and Scotty. He is also survived by three exchange student daughters, Anna Garphult from Sweden, Tiina (Mikko) Hanhiniemi from Finland and Anna Schuck Bartels (Andy) from Germany.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 12 at the La Crosse Country Club from 2-4 pm. A private burial has been held. Schumacher Kish Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

The family thanks the staff of Gundersen Health and Hospice and UW Health for their care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Gundersen Foundation, the La Crosse Community Foundation (earmarked for the Centering Onalaska Flower Basket Endowment), the La Crosse Community Theatre, the United Way, the United Fund for the Arts, the Family and Children’s Center, the La Crosse Symphony or the donor’s choice