Thomas R. Spanbauer, went home to the Lord on January 16, 2016. Born on April 4, 1940, son of George and Frances Spanbauer, of Oshkosh, he married Susan J. Hansen on May 15, 1971, his best friend and soul mate.
Tom has lived his entire life in Oshkosh and served the community as an accountant/entrepreneur in Spanbauer & Rohan Accounting Service for over 40 years. After retirement he continued to serve as consultant for the elderly with estate preparations and related services. Tom is known by many for his generous spirit and always helping others in their time of need. He had a giving soul.
Tom has always been a competitor in the many sporting activities he has participated in, starting early with Mopar, racing his 1968 Dart "Liberty Belle" for Chrysler Corporation. He set several national records and was known by racing enthusiasts up and down eastern Wisconsin. He continued his love of speed by building low profile jet powered speed boats and could be seen on the waterways around Oshkosh most any weekend. His love and passion for snowmobiles brought about one of the first competitive snowmobile ¼ mile racing events in the area. Tom enjoyed trail riding in the far north woods and upper Michigan and continued until the day he passed away. He died in Land O'Lakes doing what he loved.
Tom has been a life-long bowler with a life average of 201. He was inducted into the Bowlers Hall of Fame for 'skill' in June 1997, an honor he was most proud of. Tom and Susan were part of the Friday afternoon bowling league at Shoreview Bowling Lanes. In the summertime he loved to golf with his friends in the Thursday Men's Twilight League at the Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course in Oshkosh. Tom was also a proud member of the Elks Lodge #292.
One of the biggest joys in his life was walking and playing with one of his many Schnauzer dogs. He loved them all.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his mother/father-in-law, Lyle & Esther Hansen, many aunts and uncles and his sister-in-law, Mary May Spanbauer; also his special friends, his six Schnauzers.
He will be missed by his brother, James K. Spanbauer, his dear friends Laure Morgan and family, Richard Yearwood, Douglas Rohan, plus many other friends and relatives that knew and loved Tom. He is further survived by his sons: Douglas J. (Haley) Ross and Andrew P. (Kelly) Spanbauer; and five grandchildren. Most of all, he will be missed by his loving wife and best friend, Susan, and Beau, his last little Schnauzer.
A Celebration of Tom's Life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at the Elk's Lodge #292, 175 W. Ferneau Ave., Oshkosh, WI 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Tom's name for his favorite sport to a non-profit snowmobile organization which supports trail grooming in Northern Wisconsin.