Thomas F. Schlundt

On April 23rd, 2020, Tom had a massive stroke at his home in South Bend, Indiana, it took a week, but we would like to think that God won the debate and lifted him to Heaven on May 1, 2020.

Tom was born on July 28, 1950 in Hammond, Indiana to Fred and Clara (Kubik) Schlundt.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Diane, an Ex-Wife or two, and his fur kids, Blackie, Bear, Barbie, Spike, and Grand Dog Sassy May.

Tom is survived by his son Michael, Daughter Jennifer (Rick) Schultz, Nephew Robert (Bridget) and Great Niece Clara, Former Wife Teena and her Daughters, Angie Marie, Sarah (Tank) and Katie.  His dog Bob and Grand dogs Jake, River, and Kizzy.

Tom had a love for Indy Racing and Autocrossing which he shared with his son Michael.  He also bought and sold a bucket list of classic sports cars from Porsches to Corvettes, but mostly Triumph Spitfires, which his daughter referred to as “The Gremlins”.  When it rained, they multiplied.  Tom enjoyed fishing and lived for some years on his boat the “Mistress”.

Tom grew up in Hammond, Indiana and attended Bishop Noll High School until they kicked him out.  This led him to finishing High School at Hammond Tech where he met Teena and married her after graduation.  As a young man, Tom served in the Navy for eight years, not for patriotism but to avoid the draft.  After taking every educational opportunity available and not wanting to be bossed around anymore he was honorably discharged and moved his family home to Indiana from the West Coast.  As a middle age man, he was a self-employed Electronic Technician, fishermen, and flirt.  As an old fart, he stilled played with cars, appreciated women, smoked too much, told fish stories, and spoiled his grand dogs.  He regrets checking out before knowing if they ever found treasure on Oak Island.

Although he never finished College himself, he was a firm believer and advocate for free higher education.  He often bragged about going to Harvard, it is true, he has one credited class.  This served him well playing trivia, debating politics, arguing to anyone who would listen and thinking he was the smartest guy in the room. 

Tom loved to take a joke too far, have fun, and his sense of humor often got him into trouble.  Overall, Tom was a good guy, he loved his kids, his son-in-law Rick was family and a friend to him, his nephew Bobby made him proud and his former wife Teena put up with him the longest, but he loved her and her girls as if they were his own.  He will be missed!

Tom did not want any kind of traditional funeral.  It’s a good thing, because he only left us British car parts, he requested a Viking Funeral.  He wanted us to say a prayer for him, for God to forgive him of his sins, to raise a glass in his honor, and send him floating away to the abyss, set the boat on fire and collect the insurance……..but he already sold the boat so he will be cremated.

A Celebration of life will take place later, probably at a horse track somewhere.  Memorial contributions can be made to a Local Dog Rescue of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas F. Schlundt, please visit our floral store.