Eugene Thomas Leverentz

MADISON-Eugene Thomas Leverentz, “Tom”, age 85, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. Tom was born on Aug. 10, 1927, in Madison, the son of Frank and Bertha (Baumgartner) Leverentz. Tom grew up on Madison’s east side with his two brothers, Frank and Rod, and was a Madison resident his entire life. He attended Madison East High School graduating in 1945. Tom proudly served in the United States Army from 1945 until 1946. He then attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics. Tom was a “W” letter winner in tennis while at the university and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Pi Mu Epsilon fraternities. He taught at the University of Vermont from 1952 until 1953, and returned to the University of Wisconsin – Madison from 1953 until 1954 when he began teaching math and coaching tennis at Madison West High School. While at West, Tom was head of the Math Department from 1985 until 1988 as well as a union negotiator for MTI. He retired in 1988. Tom was an avid tennis player and loved to play golf. He also excelled at bridge, amazing his cohorts by making bids that seemed impossible. Tom loved to attend sporting events at the UW and to watch college and professional sports on television. He also spent much of his time making beautiful furniture, including many clocks. Tom was a long-time, active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Tom is survived by his daughter, Jeanette (Ken) Burghy of Madison; grandchildren of whom he was exceedingly proud, Scott Roemer of Jacksonville, Fla., Whitney (Andy) Gartzke of West Allis, and Cory Burghy (Daren Jackson) of Madison; great-granddaughters, Olivia and Natalia Gartzke; two brothers, Frank (Geri) of Madison and Rod (Frances) of Wilmette, Ill.; nieces and nephews; and his life-long friend, Don Leidel, of Sarasota, Fla. Tom leaves behind many other friends who will always remember his warm smile, wonderful sense of humor, his generosity, and his kindness. It has been said of Tom that he was “a gentleman and a gentle man.” Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol in 1959, and second wife, Georgan in 2011. Funeral services will be held at COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 326 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, with the Rev. Alex Thornburg presiding. Private family burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare and Westminster Presbyterian Church. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Cemetery: Private family burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 326 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, with the Rev. Alex Thornburg presiding.