Thom Leffler

Post date: Jun 6, 2016 11:05:37 AM

As news of his death circulates our among class and friends, and as we await more details, and share stories and reminiscences, it seems entirely appropriate to share Thom in his own words.

This email, from 2009, is all Thom. I tried often to gently inform him that all upper case was shouting in email etiquette, but given his outsize personality and zest for life, I now believe that suggestion on my part served only to cement his use of the caps.

As details sift in from near and far, they will be shared via our email listserv, but this message from him some seven years ago says much about the man, his passions, and his overall exuberance:

YOU ALL HAVE TOO MUCH FREE TIME ON YOUR HANDS! GET OUT AND DO (MORE) VOLUNTEER WORK!

I HAVE REFRAINED FROM COMMENTING FOR THE BETTER PART OF A WEEK; BUT NO MORE.

FIRST OFF, I AM SADDENED BY MSU'S DEFEAT MON. NITE BY THE TAR HEALS, BUT NEVER FORGET THE CONFEDERACY L O S T THE CIVIL WAR (SORRY MARY LOU).

SECONDLY, I REMEMBER PLAYING 'KICK BALL' AT BAILEY, BUT AT GLENCARIN IT WAS A FORM OF SOCCER.

THIRDLY, AS ONE OF THE WASPY-ISH MEMBERS OF OUR CLASS,(GEORGE BROOKOVER IS THE ONE WHO NICK-NAMED ME 'THE COUNT'/STEVE ARNESS AM. HIS.) IT SADDENS ME TO ADMIT THAT I HAVE NO FAMILY SCOTTISH BLOOD (ONLY THAT WHICH I ACQUIRED AT GLENCARIN), AS MY MOTHER WAS BORN IN SWEDEN AND MY FATHER WAS GERMAN.

HOWEVER, I ALWAYS LOOK FOR A REASON TO WEAR ONE OF MY KILTS, WHICH I DID ON MONDAY NITE AT SIDELINES SPORTS BAR, ONLY TO SEE OUR BELOVED SPARTANS (CLOSE RELATIVES OF THE TROJANS) DEFEATED.

DOES EVERYONE REMEMBER OUR JR. CLASS FLOAT "IN TROJANS WE TRUST"!

AND WHILE WE ARE ON THE SUBJECT OF GLENCARIN, KOODOS TO CARL KRAVE, WHO RECEIVED THE FIRST STATE OF FLA. GOLD STAR WATER CERTIFIED HOME AWARD, WITH HIS NEW, COMPLETELY GREEN, COMMUNITY IN TAMPA BAY, CALLED "GLENCARIN COTTAGES".(www.GlencarinCottages.com )

MADE THE 6 & 11 O'CLOCK NEWS ALL OVER THE STATE. CONGRATULATIONS CARL!!!!

ALL OF THIS I SEND TO YOU FROM TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS, AS I CONTINUE ON TO BARCELONA, THE RIVIERA COAST AND ROMA; WITH THE REMINDER TO DO MORE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER WORK; TRAVEL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN; BUT NEVER STOP THE WONDERFUL E-MAILS THAT REMIND US OF OUR ROOTS.

I HAVE ENJOYED HEARING FROM ALL OF YOU!

A BIG BEAR HUG FOR ALL,

THOM LEFFLER

rtleffty@yahoo.com

(+1) 954 439-0548