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Pam Culviner
Thomas Prall Culviner
April 5th, 1953 - June 16th, 2022
April 5th, 1953 - June 16th, 2022
Tom Culviner, age 69, passed away after a 2-year struggle with glioblastoma. With sheer determination, he read literature in his favorite chair with dog Mindy at his feet, almost to the end.
Tom grew up in Madison, NJ. He spent many summers at a family cottage on Fire Island, body surfing in the ocean and sailing on the bay, skills he’d later teach his kids. As a teenager, he’d take the train to see bands at the iconic Fillmore East. Headliner: The Grateful Dead, opening act: the Allman Brothers. Those were the days.
He graduated from Kenyon College in 1975 with a degree in English and married fellow student, Pam Winslow, a year later. He earned a PhD in English from UW-Madison in 1984. Many pleasant times were spent walking on Picnic Point, meeting up with fellow grad students at the Union Terrace, and traveling to England and Europe multiple times.
After a 4-year stint in LA and a job change from college English teacher to editor, Tom and Pam returned to Madison, with John (1986) and Peter (1988) in tow to make Madison their permanent home. Tom was hired by UW-Extension as an editor for their correspondence courses, which soon evolved to online. He edited courses and related materials for 21 years for Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning (and a range of other names.) He also represented the division on Academic Staff Council. He retired in 2016.
When the boys were young, Tom read the entirety of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings aloud, with voices for each character. (Gollum was particularly inspired.) The family also enjoyed camping, canoeing, and going to Ocracoke Island for many years. Then there were boats: Boston Whaler, 16’ Precision, renting large sailboats in the Caribbean, and finally a 25’ Irwin on Lake Michigan. After he was diagnosed, John and Peter took two last sails with him. They did the sailing to his satisfaction.
Tom was an excellent editor and we shudder to think how he’d edit this.
Tom is survived by wife Pam Culviner, John (Katie, Audrey, James), Peter (Chantal) and sister Nonny. The family will scatter his ashes privately in the future.
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Ben Smith
Oh no. I was going through some boxes and found two reel-to-reel tapes that Tommy, Jim Boyd, and Duncan made for me when I was shipped off to boarding school in 1969. Thinking Tom would get a kick out of them, and having lost his address, I googled him. And got his obituary.I was stunned. Nonny, Pam, boys, and family - I am so saddened to hear of his passing. He was a beautiful and unique human being. Please accept Lisa's and my most sincere condolences. The last time I saw Tommy was in the winter of 2011 / 2012. I was TDY in Illinois and drove up to see him. We had a couple beers, and reminisced about the old days in Point 'O' Woods on Fire Island. We came together at an interesting time of life - late teens in the late 1960s.. There was lots of mischief to be found, and we found it. Sailing the Great South Bay, midnight forays to the depths of the Sunken Forest, and sitting on the Stone(d) Bench observing P'O'W walk by in the dark. We enjoyed a lot of music together - the Dead, Stones, Frank... the louder the better! One afternoon we took our stereos to the "Barn" behind the club and hooked them up together. We got shut down after the first song. We went to at least one Dead concert at the Fillmore, but memory clouds... Here's to you, Brother. See you on the flip side. Ben
Fran Pickin Florio
Pam - I knew Tom when we were very young, in Madison, NJ. His family lived in the same neighborhood as cousins of my mother. He and I graduated from Madison High School in 1971. There is a funny photo of us in our Senior English class with Tom putting his head on the desk and me reading a book! I, too, got a Ph.D. (anthropology); I think we are the only 'doctors of philosophy' in our class! So sorry to hear that he is gone. I lost my husband in 2021 so I know what being a widow is about. I wish I had found this obituary sooner, but I will tell the MHS 50+1 reunion committee.
Mike Smebak
My Wife and I will always have fond memories of Tom. We had great times together. Tom and Pam have helped a lot of people through the years. Raising two kids in today's world is a really good start... Tom was generous with me and kind in spirit. Few people have a real passion for something in life, Tom had one, and I admire him for this. It is with sadness that I heard the news today and will miss him.. My time with Tom waned in the last few years but I did have comfort in knowing he was there. So I will miss him.. He should be here to edit this poorly written post.. If I go sailing again ever, I will keep a sharp eye on the horizon.for my friend. Mike Smebak Miike Smebak
Jim Boyd
Pam and Nonny, I just heard of Tom's passing this morning via our mutual high school friend, John Augsburger. Tom and Nonny were were the beginnings of my life in many ways when they rode bikes to my new home in 7th grade, 1966. Their house was my refuge for the next six years, where we enjoyed the usual teenage misbehaviors (with no sense of opprobrium from his mom).. and probably listened to the Grateful Dead's Dark Star 50,000 times. (Not to be compared to his garage band, 'The Cranberry Coup.') Tom and I shared a few mystical experiences that, for myself, changed my life. In all seriousness. I last spoke with Tom in 2015 when I was visiting Madison, hoping to meet for lunch. We had made plans, but on that day he said he was sailing and that if I wanted to see him I could drive 2 hrs and maybe catch him. I was mad not to see him, but figured, well, that was Tom's crotchety charm -that we shared, after all, back in high school. I regret not staying in touch, but have kept Tom and Nonny in my thoughts through the decades. My best wishes you, Pam and family. Please send me your contacts (and yrs Nonny) if you're inclined: boydjm3@gmail.com
David Werther
I will always remember Tom's work ethic. He came the office to work and did so with the full strength of his high-powered, focused intellect. He set the standard for the rest of us.
Gaby Huebner-Noblitt
I remember how each winter, Tom looked forward to the solstice. He loved going out to his boat on Lake Michigan so much that he started thinking about spring in the middle of December. He would claim that he could feel how the days were getting longer. I used to walk to the bus stop and on dark winter afternoons would sometimes tease him and say, "OK, Tom, why is it dark out already? I thought you said the days are getting longer!?" Another memory I have is that Tom loved listening to classical music when editing at work. He was so focused on his work, you could stand right next to him in his cube, even knock on the desk a few times, he would not hear you. All you could do is tiptoe away and try another time.
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