Thomas A Romberg

Thomas A Romberg

December 22, 1932 - September 03, 2023

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Obituary

FITCHBURG - Dr. Thomas A. Romberg, age 90, of Fitchburg, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, at The Waterford in Fitchburg. He was born on Dec. 22, 1932, in Burlington, Colo., the son of Harland and Mary Jo (Bridwell) Romberg. Thomas was united in marriage to Martha (Nystrom) Romberg in August of 1961.


Thomas graduated from Omaha North High school in Nebraska, later earning his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and then his Ph.D. from Stanford University in California. He served in the U.S. Army.


Thomas was the Bascom Professor of Education for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as the Director of the National Center for Research (Teaching and learning Mathematics) for the US Department of Education. He retired from both in 2005. He loved mathematics and educating people. He was a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, International Council of Mathematics Education and American Educational Research Association. He held a number of fellowships including Fulbright-USSR, NSF (GRFP), University of Delhi and Spencer Research at University of Tasmania.


Thomas loved his family and spending time with them. He was a world traveler and enjoyed drinking wine and golfing.  


Thomas is survived by his sons, Mark Romberg and Matthew Thomas (Robyn) Romberg; brother, Harland "Pat" Romberg; grandsons, Nikita (Alex) and Gregory; and a great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harland and Mary Jo Romberg; wife, Martha; son, Michael Romberg; brother, Theodore Romberg; and sister, Rosemary Wiener.


A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Thomas’ name to the Thomas A. Romberg Fellowship Fund.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002


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Visitation
Fri Sep 22, 2023 @ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
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Thomas
MS
Mark Schmitz
Other •
Tom you were so kind, so benevolent and a wonderful storyteller. Our 20+ years of Dining Club and golf will never be forgotten. You are indeed a Viking of Distinction… Mark Schmitz
DH
David and Virginia Huber
Other •
We are sad to learn of Tom's, Mike's and Martha's passing. Long ago, when our kids were young; life seemed like it couldn't end. Dave and Virginia Huber, La Crosse, WI
SL
Susanne Lajoie
Other •
My sincere condolences to the family. Thomas was an incredible mentor and role model. He will be missed by many. Susanne Lajoie McGill University, Montreal
BA
Bill Atweh
Other •
Vale Tom. You have touched hundreds of international students and educators and enriched our collective knowledge of mathematics education. You will be in our minds forever
DN
Dr. Cathy L. Seeley, Past President NCTM
Other •
Tom was a brilliant and kind leader who led the development of the first national standards in any subject area in the 1980s when the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics produced its first national mathematics standards. I was privileged to be a young educator on the committee that developed those standards, and was in awe of the way Tom brought all of us together to share in creating a vision for how the experience of learning math should be for every student. He had a way of leading and guiding with strength, wisdom, and kindness, while always being open to expand his perspective as he took in the thoughts of the rest of us.
KF
Karen Falkner
Other •
Over the years, I participated in several discussion seminar sessions which Tom led. Always his comments reflected not only a deep understanding of the mathematics involved in the topic, but also a sense of what understandings and attitudes elementary students would bring to the topic. Oh, so many fun and memorable times we Falkners and Rombergs had together! I remember the time when still at the crawling stage, my son Frank mistakenly grabbed Matt's thumb to suck. We adults thought it was funny, but the boys were NOT amused. At a Thanksgiving meal I watched the boys devour my food--leaving me without food for my planned 'left-over' meal the next day. Where was Tom in all of this? Well, he was the calm, unflappable observer and 'enjoyer' of all the antics around him. Yes, he helped us 'keep' order, but never with a heavy hand. As empty nesters, and as Martha became more reclusive, Tom and I continued our friendship as we attended Madison symphony concerts together. I shall miss him. Karen

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