Thomas Joseph Skoog

Thomas Joseph Skoog left this world on July 20, 2023, at 81 years old, after defiantly battling multiple sclerosis for 45 years … and then impatiently waiting to tap out for about three. He was a devoted son, a loving husband, a long-suffering father, a grumpy grandpa and a great-grandpa who never got that chance to shine. Tom was born in 1942 to Donald and Eleanor (Marsolek) Skoog in Glenwood, Minnesota. He loved his time at Saint John’s University (where he graduated in 1964) but was blessed to have made a one-semester detour to the University of Minnesota-Morris, where he met the love of his life, Janet (Hervert) Skoog. They married in November 1964, were blessed with their son Greg in 1967, then pushed their luck and had their daughter, Christine, in 1973. In his career, Tom was a man of exacting standards, deep curiosity, great empathy and notable ambition. His drive both to serve and to succeed in human resources took him and his family across the country: Bothell, Washington; Amery, Wisconsin; Rockford, Minnesota; Sanford, North Carolina; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Sanford, North Carolina; Napa, California; Apple Valley, Minnesota; Atkinson, New Hampshire; and Pocatello, Idaho – where he eventually retired as Director of Human Resources for American Microsystems, Inc. After retiring, he and Janet spent years in Alexandria, Minnesota, and, eventually, Sun City, Arizona. Tom was a doggedly determined man who went to great lengths to do the things he wanted and needed to do for himself and his family – no matter what limitations his body tried to put in the way. He biked up and skied down mountains. He teamed with his wife and daughter-in-law to swim in a triathlon. He rafted Oregon’s Rogue River. And he golfed and golfed and golfed. He battled his body continuously to take on beautiful, ambitious projects in his homes and yards. There were few things he liked more than laughing with good friends. If he found something funny, he was going to tell you about it. And if you missed it, there was no need to worry, because he was going to tell it again when the next person came in the room. And the next. While he had his concerns with the Catholic Church, he was a man of deep faith, who loved his relationship with God, even if he had some questions for Him toward the end. He is survived by his wife, Janet, son, Greg (Corinne), daughter Christine, brother, Gregg (Eileen) Skoog, sister, Mary (Gary) Nadeau, 10 grandchildren and nearly four great-grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned for this fall at the Sun City Country Club.