Tom Schefter
July 30, 1956 ~ September 29, 2018
Tom Schefter, 62, of Mount Vernon, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Family members include his best friend and spouse, Virginia, of Mount Vernon; three daughters, Camille Schefter (James Frederick) of Los Angeles, Alexandra Schefter (Zachary Bergman) of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Lauren Schefter (Drew LaQua) of Seattle; parents, Joseph and Carol Schefter; siblings, Edward Schefter and Karen Taylor, of California; many in-laws and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends across the country. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and uncles, George and Herbie Rstom.
Thomas Joseph Schefter was born July 30, 1956, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Joseph and Carol (Rstom) Schefter. He graduated from Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York. He received Bachelor's degrees from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Syracuse University. Tom met Virginia Bouchard at SUNY, and they married on September 27, 1980. With nothing but love, they moved across the country, through California, Washington, and Colorado. They eventually settled in Iowa to raise their family. Tom recently retired after 29 years as Senior Vice President of Asset Management for Aegon USA Realty Advisors.
Tom woke each day at four thirty and was always busy. He was interested in everything, could fix anything, and felt a beauty in working with his hands. He loved antiques and folk art; he was a collector and all-around treasure hunter. He had particular affinities for boats, motorcycles, and cars. Be it climbing mountains, running marathons, or making tables, when Tom made a goal it was always accomplished with resolve and the utmost care. Tom cherished and was most dedicated to his family. There was nothing that pleased him more than sharing a meal with family and friends. Tom was humble, compassionate, and generous and would make friends with anyone. He will be dearly missed by his family, and all who knew and loved him.
On Friday, October 19, 2018 the 8:30 a.m. daily Mass will be offered for Tom at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, Iowa.
An Open Gathering for family and friends will take place from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, with Memorial Service and Sharing of Memories to begin at 5 p.m.
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My heartfelt condolences to the wonderful Schefter family at this time of Tom’s passing. Tom is well remembeed and appreciated, as is your entire family, with love, Bob Campagna
Our condolences to Tom’s family. We will always remember Tom as gracious, humble, professional, and a wonderful family man. May he keep his perpetual smile forever. Nancy and Dave Halfpap
Sincere condolences to Virginia and the girls. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you begin your journey in celebration of a life well lived. Don and Dawn Guarino.
I will never forget how he got me out of class when I was in grade school to go fishing we had the best time! We caught a load of perch that day and after we went to AW for lunch. Tom is and always will be my big brother.
I was there when Virginia met Tom and the rest they say is history. It was September 1977 and it was our first year in the Landscape Architecture program in at ESF in Syracuse, NY. Virginia was smitten from the get go but Tom, well, he’s a guy so it took him a little longer to ‘get in touch with his feelings’:) The next thing I knew Tom moved in with Virginia, Tara and me. Those are some of my best memories, so often I think of our 2 years together in that 3rd floor apartment! Tom and his easy going ways, his humor and above all his devotion and commitment to Virginia (and vice versa) was truly something to behold. It was no surprise that they married shortly after graduation. Their exceptional daughters are testament to their stellar roles as parents. And I still cannot believe that they named their first daughter Camille, probably the greatest honor that will ever be bestowed upon me. I have tears streaming down my face as I am writing this…I still cannot believe it and I cannot begin to comprehend how Tom’s family, and everyone who knew him, will cope with his absence. Especially Virginia, my first and dearest friend at ESF. It is so bittersweet. Tom and Virginia had a marriage and a friendship that most people only dream about. Yes, maybe Tom is in a ‘better place’ but this has to be a mistake…I keep thinking that ‘the big man upstairs’ will realize that and send Tom back home. Oh how I wish for this. Until then I will keep praying for you Virginia, and your family. As time goes on I hope the memories of Tom will continue to be more and more of a comfort and slowly but surely, somewhat, ease the pain of his loss. With all my love and my condolences, Camille aka Prissy
Tom’s beautiful daughters
Tom was a friend who made the world we live in a better and happier place. Thank you for being my friend. Rest in Peace my friend. Homa & Sarvjeev Sidhu
Tom was kind, considerate, funny, sincere, a defender of fairness, with the highest integrity. Although he was humble, Tom would proudly share stories about his wife and daughters and their accomplishments. I remember funny stories about peacocks, an email prank, and his fondness for New York, except for that large block from a building that fell on him. My condolences to his family and prayers for the peace of God that surpasses understanding. Greg Dryden
I had the pleasure of working with Tom for over 20 years. We traveled many miles and shared numerous meals and stories. Without a doubt, he was most proud of his family! The results of the love and parenting with Virginia are evident in the successful lives of their daughters. May Tom’s memory be eternal. Tom & Karol Nordstrom
Tom, no one was ever a greater friend than you. For over 35 years, we were in each other’s’ life. We worked together, have some long ferocious tennis matches, I could never keep up with him on the ski mountains and certainly we laughed together. And we shared our family stories. Whenever, I needed a friend to talk with you were always there. Tom could always get me to laugh. He went out of his way to do me some favors He was a great friend and I will truly miss him. Dennis Adams
I am sorry for your loss of Tom: Almighty God tells us at Isaiah 66:13 that He will keep comforting us as a mother comforts her son. Isaiah 25:8 tells us that God will swallow up death forever and wipe the tears from all faces. This gives us some comfort that our sorrow is not without hope: May your hearts soon be filled with the wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived
Dearest Schefter Family I am so, so sorry to hear about your tremendous loss. Tom was such a wonderful person and loving, caring, and support adult in my life as a young person. Camille, Amy, and I share so many wonderful memories of being at the Schefter household… laughing, doing school projects, cooking, laughing some more, sleepovers, taking homecoming pictures. As an adult now, I look back on these moments with such awe. Tom and Virginia were so good to us. I’m sure they were busy and hads lots going on all the time, but I only remember feeling loved and cared for, and your Tom was especially good at that. I remember him always asking about us- our interests, what was going on, and how we were doing at school. He was genuinely engaged with us each time we visited with him. What an incredible gift- to have that kind of constant love and support as an adolescent in middle an high school. I feel so sad writing this note to you all. I can only imagine how unreal and intense this loss must be. I am so sorry. Tom was such a wonderful, wonderful person and I am so grateful to have had my life intertwined with the Schefter’s growing up. I am thinking of you all so much in this moment and sending you all my love. Sincerely, Annie
I am so fortunate to have had the chance to work with Tom. He made coming to work enjoyable. Tom was an amazing guy and was a leader and an advocate for his team members. I truly enjoyed getting to know him personally as well. We would discuss family, books and craft beer, not necessarily in that order. When he heard I had not yet read Bonfire of the Vanities, he sent me his own personal copy to New York for me to read and enjoy. God bless you Tom. -Nick Koluch
Dear Virginia and family,
We are so sad to learn of your loss. May all your wonderful memories ease the heartache a bit. Tom’s bright smile is a light that will never go out.
Warmest regards,
Marianne & Scott Taylor