Dr. Thomas Oscar Wipperfurth, O.D.
September 21, 1932 - November 24, 2021
Obituary
MONONA - Dr. Thomas Oscar Wipperfurth, O.D., age 89, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2021, after a brief illness.
The only child of Lawrence and LaVona (Peterslie) Wipperfurth, he was born on Sept. 21, 1932, in Madison, Wis. Tom graduated from Madison East High School in 1950, where he was a member of the high school basketball team. He then went on to play collegiate basketball as he pursued his undergraduate degree at Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa, and completed his post-graduate degree in 1956 at the Illinois College of Optometry.
During postgraduate school, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Judith Ann McCormick. They settled in Monona, Wis., where Tom established his optometry practice on Monona Drive. He loved being an active community member in both Monona and Madison. During his years of practice, he served as the president of the Monona Grove Businessmen’s Association, committed time to the Madison Lions Club and participated in the Madison and Cape Coral, Fla., Elks Clubs.
Tom and Judie both shared a passion for golf and were longtime members of Cherokee Country Club and Maple Bluff Country Club. They loved their special group of lifelong friends and met weekly for golf or dinner.
In later years, Tom and Judie spent winters in Cape Coral, Fla. They took up boating and enjoyed taking family and friends on excursions; one of their favorites was to Key West, Fla.
Tom and Judie had a family of five children. In every home they had, memories were on the wall, pictures of all! They loved watching their family grow with seven wonderful grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They had a beautiful marriage for 58 years until Judie passed away in 2010.
Tom married Harriet Murphy, in 2013. They so enjoyed each other’s company as they aged and were able to fulfill a lifetime dream, visiting Italy, together. Harriet gave Tom a renewed purpose in life with laughter and comfort, joy and peace.
We would like to thank our youngest sister, Nancy, who came to help dad, whenever needed, and his caregivers, Deb and Gloria, who helped him to remain independent, living at home with his beloved cat, Teddy. We are so grateful for their caring hearts!
Tom is survived by his wife, Harriet Murphy; his five children, Greg (Sally) Wipperfurth, Joan (Wipperfurth) Nocenti, Lynn (Edward) Hassett, Lisa (Wipperfurth) Miller and Nancy (Bruce) Dober; his grandchildren, Tom Hassett, Maria Nocenti, Alex Nocenti, Lindsey (Dober) Wood, Brent Dober, Ryan Miller and Rhett Miller; and his great-grandchildren, Fisher and Isla Wood, and Henry and Felix Carlson.
A visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Per Dane County Health Department regulations, masks will be required for the visitation. A private family burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to either Feline/Canine Friends, Inc., a no kill shelter operated under the direction of their daughter Lynn in Westfield, Wis., www.felinecaninefriends.rescuegroups.org; or towards the medical expenses of great-granddaughter Isla Wood, https://gofund.me/85837775. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Wed Dec 8, 2021 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Dr. Thomas have been shared yet.
Memories
DC
Deb Comiskey
Other •
Tom and I briefly met almost 3 years ago at Walmart, 2 years from then I received a call from his daughter to help him out in his home. Tom had many interesting stories of his travels, people he has met, Frank Lloyd Wright is one man he was proud to have met while working at a local tire establishment. His various wall hangings told of an amazing life, from his basketball years, to his travels, what impressed me as well is that he made ALL of his frames the hangings were displayed in...great talent! He definitely enjoyed his sports, from football to golf, I could always get the results on the games the Packers and Badgers played. He created an interest of golf within me, explained the various courses, the monetary winnings, we even watched bowling. We also would reminisce about old movies, t.v. shows, he'd suggest various theatrical productions to attend locally. He shared his family was the first in his neighborhood to have a television when he was younger. He's a kind and gentle man, and a gentleman! His cat Teddy was an amazing comfort to him, whenever he had to be away from home his concern for Teddy was very clear. He became my confidante and advisor in some respects. His positive and kind spirit touched me in ways that are indescribable. I have been truly blessed to have been a part of his life, and to get to know his incredibly supportive and loving family. So many have stopped me in his apartment building expressing his kindness, and their stories of him. Tom has been a blessing to all who had the opportunity to know him. My deepest, sincerest, condolences to the entire family! As well as gratitude for allowing me to be a part of his life.
MS
Mary Entwistle Shaw
Other •
I worked for Dr. Wipperfurth as his first assistant, then was his patient, as were my kids after I married and became a mom! He was an amazing guy and I sure enjoyed him. I remember his son, Greg, as a little boy. Good memories in a younger time. Blessings!
MM
Melissa Mlsna
Other •
Tom was my neighbor in Monona. I enjoyed his and Harriet's company whenever we met. They were a great couple and Tom will be missed. I even had the opportunity to meet Teddy. My sincere condolences to Harriet and the family.
JH
Juli Hillebrand
Other •
I was a patient of Dr. Wipperfurth’s for years and he was such a patient and gracious man. My condolences to my classmate Lynn and her family during this time of loss.
VF
Virginia Furumo
Other •
Tom and Judy provided me the honor of being included in incredible family times driving out to Yellowstone, skiing in Aspen and WI, and sleep overs at their home in Madison. I am forever grateful for their generosity. I cherish the time I got to spend with their family! God bless all their family members during this difficult time.
DA
Donald AND Beverly Amacher
Other •
Dear Tom & Family, We were so fortunate to know you, Judy and family. Our friendship started at Woodvale Drive, Madison, when we were neighbors. We had such wonderful times golfing at Cambridge, Cherokee and Maple Bluff Country Club and the suppers together with the Murphys and Bormans. Our family has talked about the family vacation we spent together at Door Peninsula. Great memories. We will miss our telephone calls, but happy to know you are in Heaven with our Saviour. Don, Beverly Amacher and Family