Columbus
Thomas Perl Reifenberg, 87, of Columbus, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Columbus Regional Hospital.
Tom was born May 21, 1930, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Joseph H. and Florence (Perl) Reifenberg.
He married his college sweetheart, Margaret E. Korb, at St. Benedict’s in Evansville on Aug 30, 1952. She preceded him in death on Aug 24, 2015.
Tom is survived by his children, James K. of Columbus, Robert E. of Alexandria, Virginia and Julia R. (Lars) Halvorsen, of Richmond, Virgnia. Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura (Brian) Davis, Daniel Reifenberg, Sarah (Wes) Knuth, Megan Reifenberg, Tom Reifenberg and Allison Rutan; great-grandchildren, Adler and Rowan Davis and Ezra and Jax Knuth; aunt, JoAnne West; sisters-in-law, Jean Reifenberg of Fort Wayne and Mary Lee Korb of Evansville; brother-in-law, Richard D. Korb of Sarasota, Florida; nine nieces and nephews; and many cousins.
In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and James Reifenberg; and brother-in-law, Gilbert A. Korb Jr.
Tom earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Rose Polytechnic (now Rose-Hulman) in Terre Haute in 1953, and was a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the Glee Club. Upon graduation, Tom and Marg moved to Bedford where he worked for General Motors in facilities engineering and they began raising their three children. In 1963, he accepted a job as plant engineer at Amos Plastics in Edinburgh, and was ultimately promoted to plant manager in 1971. He deftly steered the plant through several ownership changes before retiring in 1995 from final owner United Technologies after 32 years of outstanding business leadership with the company.
Tom served as Director of Junior Chamber of Commerce in Bedford, Director and President of Central Indiana Society of Plastics Engineers, President of his Sarasota, Florida, Condo Association, President of Northfield Condo Association in Columbus, and was a founding member of St. Columba (now St. Bartholomew) Catholic Church. He was also a member of Harrison Lake Country Club, Otter Creek and Bedford Elks Lodge. He was an avid golfer who played often locally and in Sarasota.
Tom was a skilled handyman, woodworker and craftsman, and enjoyed making dollhouses and other keepsakes for his grandchildren. He never missed a Sunday Mass and was always there to support family and friends whenever needed. In his later years, one would find him going out for breakfast every morning, working out and playing cards with his friends at Mill Race Center and traveling frequently to see his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tom was an avid football fan and his friends and neighbors will be sure to miss “Tom’s Tomatoes.” Simply said, Tom was a truly exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and role model for his entire family.
Tom’s life will be celebrated Saturday, June 17, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with visitation at 9 a.m., followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Garland Brook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made in Tom’s name to Mill Race Center, Attn: Development Coordinator, 900 Lindsey St, Columbus, Indiana 47201.
The family will receive online condolences at www.Hathaway-Myers.com.
Hathaway-Myers Chapel is serving the Reifenberg family.
