Photo credit: Diane Cotsonas

Last fall, we lost a wonderful international teaching assistant (ITA) colleague in Tom Schroeder. Though still involved in the ITA Interest Section, over the years Tom had become increasingly active in the Social Responsibility Interest Section. He was a champion of ITAs, international students, and just people in general. His open heart and calm demeanor put everyone who met him at ease.

Tom was comfortable in any group of people and had a fun-loving nature. When TESOL was in New York City in 2008, a group of us went to dinner at an Italian restaurant where the custom was for women to kiss the ceiling. Tom joined in on the lipstick application without a second thought!

Photo credit: Diane Cotsonas

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Quaker memorial meeting for Tom. Many extra chairs had to be brought in to accommodate all the people who came to honor him. A full hour was spent hearing people speak and absorbing each message. Although I was not surprised, it still was truly inspiring to hear how much people loved him. He will be greatly missed.

The following is excerpted from the obituary published in the Logan Herald Journal:

Dr. Thomas J. Schroeder (1948–2012), Utah State University

On Nov. 17, Thomas Joseph Schroeder, a man of great worth and great heart passed away in his Logan home surrounded by the loving thoughts of his community and his family. He was born Feb. 29, 1948 in Merrill, Wisconsin, and spent his childhood years in Illinois and Mississippi. He earned degrees from Tulane, Utah State, and Northern Arizona Universities. He served as a teacher and associate professor in the Intensive English Language Institute at USU for the past 36 years. Drawn to the beauty and simplicity of life in Cache Valley, he planted his roots here in 1974 and cultivated an intricate life promoting cultural understanding for peace and social justice.

Tom Schroeder was a man of many hats. He was a husband, father, friend, educator, activist and, generally, a person of great influence. It is not surprising that we long for his words and advice in such a time of need. As a result, we have chosen to include his own words written for his last post tenure review to reflect his ideals and passion.

"A society entrusts its continuation and well-being to members of its institutions. Among those institutions none is more essential than education. As I write this I am struck by the personal irony. My first teaching experience was in Saigon, Viet Nam in 1971. There I was thrown into a community of misfit teachers all of whom had followed non-traditional paths to arrive at that station. Few, if any of us, supported the military action in Viet Nam and we saw our language teaching of Vietnamese military personnel as a means of keeping them out of the war.

It was from these students that I learned a pivotal cultural lesson. While I felt at odds with my country's policy and leadership, they made me see that I was undeniably a product of my culture. As a product of my culture, I have since tried to pass on and promulgate the values and qualities that ‘make this country great.’ Independence of thinking, respect for the worth of every individual and culture, and the value of being a contributing member of society have been among the qualities I hope to have passed forward. Further, I hope to have advanced the cause of peace and social justice. Thus, I feel honored to have been accorded the position of ‘teacher’ in my society.

I am grateful for the lessons I have been given, the growth in empathy, the fostering of caring and consideration, and the opportunity to share love with so many wonderful human beings."

His presence and passing have influenced many. We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support from those whose lives he touched, and have been touched by, our dear friend. We hold each of you in the light as we grieve this loss . . . .

In Tom's spirit, we ask that you memorialize him by telling a good joke, making a toast and, in lieu of flowers, contribute to a cause that promotes peace and social justice.

Reference

Thomas Joseph Schroeder (1948–2012): Obituary. (2012, November 27). Logan Herald Journal. Retrieved from http://www.legacy.com