Michael N. Thome

Michael Nicholas Thome passed away September 23, 2014 in Sacramento, California at the age of 96. Michael was born on November 28th, 1917 in Dobie, Wisconsin to Fred and Mary (Prock) Thome. He attended grade school in Rice Lake and graduated from Hammond, Wisconsin High School. He was inducted into the Army in 1942. He graduated from the Infantry School as a 2ND LT. and was trained in military intelligence and military government. He was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division in Europe. He was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge in Germany and was held by the Germans and later the Russians. Upon return to the US, he was assigned to the 8th Army in Yokohama, Japan. After his discharge from active duty, he was promoted to Captain in 1946. Thereafter he served as a Department of the Army civilian until 1950. At the start of the Korean War, Michael elected to leave Japan and take his young family back to the safety of the United States. Michael went to work for the State of Minnesota as a purchasing agent and in 1955 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Minnesota State Employee's Retirement System. In 1968, Michael accepted a position as Chief Executive Officer of the California State Teachers Retirement System in Sacramento, CA, where he served for 16 years. He purchased the first permanent California State Teachers Retirement System Building headquarters (CAL STRS) as his final act prior to retirement in 1983. Michael held many high positions in professional organizations, such as serving as an advisor to the Urban Institute and the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. He was an active member of The California Retired Teachers' Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, The American Ex-prisoners of War, the Military Officers Association of America, AMVETS, The Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Inc. Michael enjoyed a long retirement in Sacramento, CA, where he enjoyed gardening, reading, collecting antiques, attending cultural events, the company of good friends, and his beloved dogs. He was a faithful parishioner of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento. He is survived by his daughters Andre M. Thome of St. Paul, MN; Terese K. Stein and husband, Dr. William E. Stein, D.D.S., Aitkin, MN; grandsons William and Benjamin; five sisters, one brother, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Georgia M. Thome; parents, Fred and Mary Thome; brother Fred; sisters, Antoinette (Toni), Marie and Maybelle Ann Thome. Family and friends attended a Service of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at W. F. Gormley & Sons, 2015 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, with ARMY Chaplain Timothy J. Meier presiding. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Spring Valley, WI followed by interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and mementos, the family requests donations are sent to the California Retired Teachers Association State Capitol Division Scholarship Fund, 800 Howe Ave., Suite 370, Sacramento, CA 95825.