Thomas "Tom" Harpt
January 31, 1949 - May 22, 2025
Obituary
Thomas "Tom" Harpt, age 76, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025. He was born on January 31, 1949, to Ralph and Jolene (Banker) Harpt in Milwaukee, WI. Tom graduated from UW Milwaukee with a degree in environmental engineering and moved to Madison with his wife Debora (Beitz) Harpt.
Tom worked for the DNR and was passionate about the environment. He was an outdoorsman who loved fishing, camping, traveling, hiking, friends and of course, family. Tom world revolved around his loved ones, always putting their well-being and happiness first. He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, a bond like no other. Tom viewed everyone with an open mind and his thoughtful and inquisitive nature made him loved by many people he met.
Tom is survived by his wife, Debora (Beitz) Harpt; children, Nicole Harpt, Danielle Harpt, Stephanie (Adam) Wolter; grandchild, Harlie Fordham-Harpt; siblings, Sandy (Doug) Mann and Mary Banker-Harpt.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Jolene (Banker) Harpt.
The family would like to thank UW Carbone Center and B6/6 staff for their amazing help and support.
A Celebration of Tom's Life will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home Legacy Center, 6728 Mader Drive, Madison, WI. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: PBS https://give.pbswisconsin.org/page/27653/donate/1 or UW Carbone Cancer Center https://give.wiscmedicine.org/give/392780/#!/donation/checkout
To view, sign this guestbook and to share a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000
Events
Visitation
Fri Jun 13, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home - Madison West • 6728 Mader Dr, Madison, WI 53719
Celebration of Life Service
Fri Jun 13, 2025 @ 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home - Madison West • 6728 Mader Dr, Madison, WI 53719
Luncheon
Fri Jun 13, 2025 @ 3:45 PM CDT
Photos
Memories
ES
Eileen and Herb Statz
Friend •
We met as coworkers at the DNR but our family became lifelong friends. He was an excellent painter and many in our family hired him to paint at their own homes. Breakfast, lunch, treats and friendship were most important while he finished the projects with meticulous care. Tom truly enjoyed seeing Herb's new projects in the shop. Cancer never took away his smile and funny email responses. His sense of humor was priceless! He will truly be missed.
GM
Gregory Matthews
Friend •
There was only one Harpo!
MW
Margalo Willard
Friend •
I grew up with Nicole in high school, and her family welcomed me with such ease and grace. Tom especially was always interested in what we were up to. He was a light hearted man, who wanted to engage with the world. He loved talking politics with us, particularly because I moved to Canada and he wanted to know all about my new home. My partner Judy became best friends with Tom, and they really enjoyed their friendship. We miss Tom very much. Our hearts are with his family.
