Thomas Rich

Godspeed Mr. Rich. LHS Class of 1973

Theres authoritarian “teachers” who enforce their will while ruling with an iron fist. Then there those who were born & blessed to teach. Mr.Rich ‘Tom’ was a gifted communicator who cared about his students. Those who were fortunate enough to have Mr. Rich as their teacher knew that Tom Rich was a good, compassionate man who cared. History and American History may have been at the forefront of Mr. Rich’s skill set. Make no mistake. Tom Rich had photographic memory when it came to prep sports in Madison. Later in life. I had the privilege of getting to know Tom better or a more personal level. We shared numerous interests and the strong concerns we had involving a commander in chief who constantly deflected from his colossal incompetence. I love American history-101. Tom Rich made history enjoyable and fun and a class that I really looked forward to. One of the last conversations I had with Tom was at the same east side Madison grease pit. The conversation involved ~45~? I asked Tom how he thought ~45~ will be remembered in the history files. His response will stick with me: ‘I really don’t know. I have concerns that if politicians have their way. History and American history as we know it today could be eliminated, destroyed and rewritten tomorrow’. Compassionate, educated and well-informed. Tom Rich made a difference in life. He impacted lives in such a way that many can only dream. Myself included. God Speed Dr. Rich! Thank you for the continuous education!

My deepest condolences to your family. Mr Rich was truly a gift to all his students at Lafollette HS.I was blessed to have him as a homeroom teacher 1985-1989. We were the class of M’s. Since it was done alphabetically he had us sit that way. We shared the typical joys and tribulations of high school as a group. He would simply give you his smile and I head on for approval or a look of concerned when he didn’t approve. He created in a space where we wear a small family inside the walls of LHS. He was a teacher and a friend. When my dad passed unexpectedly in 2001 in a long line of people I looked up and guess who was there Mr. Rich. A simple handshake and a hug to say he was sorry. In 2014 when my mom passed, he was there. How are my greatest memory of Mr. Rich was on a Sunday morning in 2018. There was a simple knock at my front door. I opened it to find Mr. Rich he came by to give me a simple gift. He said you probably find it weird that I’m here on your front porch, but I just wanted you to know that I’ve been working on a little project. He shared with me that he had been taking pictures of all the houses that his classmates had grown up in. See my parents were the class of 1958 from East High and he said I just want you to have this as I know they can’t be with us for their upcoming reunion. I opened it to find pictures of my grandparents homes from the east side of Madison along with my parents senior pictures .A gift I will forever cherish. Mr Rich you touched many young lives and made a difference. Thank you. Rest peace.

Mr. Rich was my history teacher who knew how to make history about more than an event of the past! I was part of the class of 83.

Mr.Rich was my American History teacher my Sophmore year I think. He was one of the greatest teachers I had. His clas was the only one I had an A in he knew how to teach in a way you not only learned,but retained information. I will truly miss your very kind soul.

Tom and I became fast friends during our senior year at East High. While students at UW, we spent a lot of time together with friends and double dating until he began seeing Mary Entwistle, a beautiful, sweet woman. As the best man at his wedding to Mary, it fell to me to take him out for a bachelor party to our favorite bars. I drove him to the wedding the next day, and we were both hungover from the night before. We stayed close until I moved to Austin, TX where I taught as a professor at the University of Texas while Tom taught at LaFollette. After that we'd talk once or twice a year and relive the good times. I spoke with him a couple of weeks before he passed; he was his pleasant, steady self. Bless you, Tom, as you revel in our Lord's heavenly kingdom. And bless his family, especially Julie, for taking such loving care of Tom. Randy Parker R.Parker@utexas.edu