Thomas C. Lattimer

Thomas C. Lattimer, 75, Wausau, died Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at Howard Young Medical Center, Woodruff, after an enjoyable day fishing with good friends. He was born July 16, 1936 in Wausau, son of the late Edwin H. and Beata (Sell) Lattimer. On August 5, 1961, he married Barbara Gripentrog at St. James Catholic Church, Wausau. Tom was a 1954 graduate of Wausau Senior High and a 1958 graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Philadelphia, PA. Tom served under the Red Arrow Branch of the military reserves during the Berlin Crisis. He was a strong supporter of his community, helping establish the first buildings for the Central Wisconsin School of Ballet and the Wausau Community Theatre, as well as the first permanent facility for the Wausau Conservatory of Music. He was chairman of the Festival of Arts for two consecutive years and a key leader of the Grand Theatre Restoration fund-raising project, among many other endeavors. He was also a significant investor in a number of local businesses, believing their success was vital to the long-term growth of the Wausau area. He started as a college agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and spent all 56 years of his working career with them. He was still serving his clients at the time of his death and saw no need to retire. He is one of the leading lifetime producers in the industry. Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman, and in his prime, a championship-level racquetball and handball player. His knowledge of classical piano literature was unsurpassed. He was a passionate gardener and voracious reader, typically devouring a book a day. Above all, Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend and will always be remembered with love and nostalgia for his stories and sense of humor. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, Wausau; his children, all of Wausau; Patrick (Lynne) Lattimer and their children Michael and Molly; Susan (Denis) Crevier and their children Olivia and Tommy; and Jessica (David) Berumen and their children, Sawyer and Lola. Three siblings survive: Michael Lattimer, Freemont, Wis., Lynn Tappan, Deerfield Beach, Florida, and Jay (Debbie) Lattimer, Franklin, N.C., and several special nieces and nephews, along with three beloved and crazy granddogs (Dunkin', Ivy and Haggis). He was preceded in death by a brother, Judd Lattimer. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Private burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church and again on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. The Tom Lattimer Memorial Fund is being established with donations directed to the Wausau Conservatory of Music or The Good News Project. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com