Thomas D. Rivers

It is with a great amount of sadness that our family announces the passing of Thomas Dorith Rivers on December 17, 2024, at Oakwood Hebron Rehabilitation Facility, after 90 years of a life well-lived. Tom was born on August 27, 1934, the only child of Stanley James Rivers (Canterbury, England) and Dorothy Julia Maloney (Portage, WI). A few hours after Tom’s birth, Dorothy died and his dad gave Tom his unique second name as a remembrance to his birth mother. For seven years, Tom was raised by his dad, a traveling salesman, and his maternal grandmother and aunts. Tom’s father, Stanley, was married in August, 1941, to Tom’s Portage kindergarten teacher, Eva Roy, who became his stepmother. 

The family moved to Evansville, Wisconsin in January 1942 where Tom graduated in 1952. He earned his degree in business administration from Whitewater State in 1956. While there, he was sports editor of the college newspaper and traveled as a statistician for the Whitewater teams. Tom was recruited by Farmers Mutual (now American Family Insurance) in the spring of 1956. However, he knew he was soon to be inducted so he volunteered for the army. Due to then poor vision, he was rejected and joined Farmers Mutual in September of 1956, retiring in April of 1997 after over 40 years of service. He started as an Accountant before being promoted to Agency Services Manager working in many different aspects with the field force. 

In 1957, he met the love of his life, Carol Evans, also an employee at Farmers Mutual and they were married on September 27, 1958. The marriage brought two daughters, Patricia and Janet to their family. Tom and Carol were so fortunate to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in September, 2023. Tom received a great deal of satisfaction by volunteering to make life more enjoyable for others. During his working years and retirement, Tom gave back to the Madison community in numerous ways by volunteering. He was involved with the United Way of Dane County for over twenty five years and was a member of the Community Solutions Team. He volunteered with the American Red Cross for over 21 years where he also was a ten gallon blood donor. He served for 33 years with Oakwood Lutheran Senior Ministries on numerous councils and committees, was the interim CEO for a period of time and was the Board Chairman of both Oakwood campuses. Tom was awarded volunteer of the year in 2010. His church, St. John’s Lutheran, received his efforts for over 65 years while serving as chairperson of the finance committee, treasurer, financial secretary, usher, communion server and a four year’s stint as congregational president. 

Tom really enjoyed sports and closely followed the fortune of the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers. He and Carol attended many games with the appropriate tailgate parties! He was always game to try his luck at the casinos, especially black jack and craps. He was an avid golfer and played Odana Hills for 60 years since the course’s opening day in 1957. He was a former member and President of the Odana Hills Golf Association. He enjoyed registering a hole-in-one on the 17th hole! Tom also volunteered 8 years for the AmFam PGA Golf Championship. For 60 years he enjoyed his company’s Wednesday bowling league. Tom and Carol organized and led many Oakwood Foundation tours, raising money for that cause. Most of these trips were around the world as well as Badger Las Vegas football games and the 1994 Rose Bowl. 

The winter Christmas season was special for him as he brought out his “Santa Claus” outfit for 47 years. His ventures led to hospitals and hundreds of homes where the adults wanted to donate for his services but he would encourage a donation to the Empty Stocking Fund to assist those children not so fortunate. Tom was also a life time member of the Madison Elks Club. Tom, also known as “Sam”, was an avid walker. He was featured August, 2014 in the Wisconsin State Journal for walking the amount of miles it would take to walk around the world, completing that journey on his 80th birthday! He continued to walk well into his late 80’s. An article in the WSJ in December 2017 featured his Santa and volunteer activities. Tom lived a very fulfilling life filled with great love for his family, compassion, dedication and generosity. He had extreme loyalty to his friends, neighbors and our community. He was always grateful for what he had and what others did for him. Tom wants all his friends and associates know how much he loved and appreciated them. 

Survivors include his daughter and son in law, Janet and Reed Bollig, his precious grand daughter, Megan (Matthew) O’Connor and the “apple of his eyes”, great grand daughter, Evelynn O’Connor. Wednesdays were “Janet and Evie days” and will forever be remembered. Tom was so excited to meet his new great grandson who will be born in March, 2025. Other survivors include his sister in law, Joan Evans, sister in law and brother in law, Janice and Dean Langholff and his nieces and nephews, Richard (Crystal) Evans, Nancy (Bob-deceased) Holland, Lori (Curt) Albrecht, Darin (Kim) Langholff, Andrew (Kim) Meyers and Dan (Tricia) Meyers. 

Tom was preceded in passing by his beloved wife; Carol, in January, 2024, his daughter Pat (deceased in April, 2022), son-in-law, Conrad Polensky, Tom’s parents, Stanley and Dorothy Rivers, step mother, Eva Rivers, maternal and fraternal grandparents, Tom’s in laws, Hector and Caroline Evans, sister in law, Beverly Evans, brother, Harold Evans, sister and brother in law, Mary and George Meyers. Tom was a firm believer in saying, “Do wonderful things in your lives as you will leave with a great sense of happiness and accomplishment!” 

A service of love and remembrance will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on January 10, 2025, visitation 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., service at 12:00 p.m. with luncheon to follow. Burial at Roselawn at a later date. Any memorials should be made to Empty Stocking Fund, St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Oakwood Foundation. Rest in peace Dad/Grandpa…..we love you forever.