Thomas Gillespie SCHALK, D.V.M.

SCHALK, ARNOLD, ESLICK, PALMER, THOMAS, KAMINSKY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/9/2015 at 16:09:35

November 24, 1932 --- April 29, 2015

Thomas Gillespie Schalk, Sarasota, FL; formerly of Kalamazoo Aged 82, died April 29, 2015 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, of lymphoma. Tom was preceded in death by his son Christopher T., parents, Louis W. Schalk and Ollie Y. Arnold and brother, Louis W. Schalk II. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fredrica A. (Eslick), Sarasota, daughter Sally E. Schalk (Kirk M. Palmer), Cambridge, MN, son, Bradley F. Schalk, Sarasota, sister Barbara Thomas, Iowa City, IA, grandchildren Thomas J. Kaminsky, Chicago, IL, Anne Marie Kaminsky, Elk River, MN, Stephen M. Kaminsky, Milwaukee, WI, Bradley W. Schalk and Samantha N. Schalk, Sarasota. A private memorial service is planned. Memorials may be directed to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

A 1950 graduate of Iowa Falls High School, Tom received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1956 from Iowa State University, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He served in the U.S Army Veterinary Corps from 1956-1958 as a First Lieutenant at Fort Eustis, VA and Commander of the 158th Veterinary Detachment in Metz, France. Honorably discharged in 1958, he continued to serve as a Captain in active reserve. Tom began his career practicing veterinary medicine in Clarion, IA. He joined the Upjohn Company in 1963 and moved to Kalamazoo, MI, where he held a variety of positions in the Agricultural Division. In 1972, he was appointed Division Vice President of the International Division; where he organized the Animal Health Division into a global entity. Tom completed a Harvard University SMP in Switzerland, in 1979. When he retired from Upjohn in 1994, he was Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Animal Health Worldwide. Active in professional and trade associations in the U.S. and Europe, Tom held officer positions American Veterinary Association, Industrial Veterinary Association, National Cattleman's Association, European Trade Association and the Animal Health Institute, where he served as Vice- Chairman and Chairman (1993). "Doc," as he was known to his grandchildren, was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed boating and travel. He and his wife played golf, tennis and bridge. He remained active in his profession after retirement, overseeing the sale of Asgrow Seed Company and serving on corporate boards in the U.S. and Canada. Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, father and (very proud) grandfather with a wonderful sense of fun. He was ethical, hardworking and liked nothing better than helping others develop and succeed in business. He will be greatly missed.

Kalamazoo Gazette - Kalamazoo, Michigan
May 7, 2015