Thomas E. McCaig
Thomas E. McCaig, died May 21, 2012 at the Stevens Point Care Center, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He is survived by first cousins, Charles (JoAnne) Planek, Thomas Planek, Grace Marie Reiland, Bernadette Eder, and William Patera and is predeceased by his brother, Rev. John McCaig and Joan (Mrs. Thomas) Planek.
Professor McCaig was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 22, 1929, the eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hart) McCaig. He received his Ph.D. in Education from Loyola University, Chicago in 1967 and his career in this field spanned more than four decades.
From 1952 to 1964, he taught English, drama, and mathematics in the Chicago and Oak Park, Illinois public school systems, at times focusing on students with special needs. During this period, from 1953 to 1955, he was called to serve in the United States Army and stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland.
In 1966, Professor McCaig joined the faculty of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He served as Associate Dean and Head of the School of Education from 1972 to 1978. He received the UW-Stevens Point Excellence in Teaching Award in 1969 and 1990 and was the University's nominee for the CASE Professor of the Year award and the Joyce Erdman Excellence in Teaching Award. In1992 he was named Outstanding Teacher Educator of the Year, UW-Stevens Point, by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Professor McCaig represented the University abroad on several occasions. In 1976, he led student groups to study in Krakow, Poland and, with Professor and Mrs. Wick, to study in London, England. In 1980, Professor McCaig was given a semester's professorial exchange position at West London Institute of Higher Education, Richmond England.
For eleven years after his retirement in 1994, he mentored university professors and high school teachers. In subsequent years, while courageously coping with failing health, Professor McCaig continued to spend many hours serving as friend and advisor to those he mentored as well as UW-SP faculty members and former students.
Visitation will be at St. Joseph's Convent Chapel, Stevens Point on Friday, June 1st from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., with the Mass of Christian Burial immediately following. Entombment will be at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, Hillside, Illinois. Memorials to Newman University Parish, 2108 Fourth Avenue, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481 would be appreciated.
On line condolences may be made at bostonfuneralhome.net
Published in Stevens Point Journal on May 30, 2012