Click Here to Watch Tom's Funeral Services

Tom left us for a better life late on Tuesday, 7 Jul 2026 at his home in StoryPoint, Waterville, Ohio. He was born on 24 Jul 1940 in Fremont, Ohio to Harold ‘Whitey’ and Elizabeth Jane (Hufford) Althoff.

Tom graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1959. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana, in 1963. He held many engineering positions including WTOL and Christy; he’d even earned the Low Pressure Boiler Operator certification for the operation of Steam Engines and Boilers. He later earned his Master of Education from The University of Toledo in 1989 and became an educator, teaching at locations like Owens Community College and Northview High School.

Tom’s participation in the Tri-State College Amateur Radio Club was an early sign of what became a lifelong hobby in the amateur radio world. He maintained his advanced operator privileges as K8OSH and received an award for sixty years of service as a licensed radio amateur from The Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. (QCWA). He was a member of Chapter 142 and the Toledo Mobile Radio Association (TMRA). Many also know of his passion for marathon running, frankly running of any kind especially with the international Hash group (non-competitive running) and the Toledo Road Runners, with the hashtag name ‘Flour Fairy’. So many awards and medals! He participated in international running as well as runs such as the Marine Corp Marathon. Locally, some of his first-place awards included the Camelback 4 miler (sponsored by The News-Messenger). But he was the proudest of achieving 1st place in The Blade 10k. Additionally, Tom actively participated in the Rev CH Althoff Family Reunions for many years including the 100th in 2025; he loved to tell family stories and learn about genealogy. Of his other activities, Tom was a trained volunteer fire fighter with a treasured Sylvania Fire Department patched jacket.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister, Carole. He is survived by a wealth of family, friends, and caregivers who will greatly miss him; his two daughters, and grandchildren. Special Thanks to his health advocate manager Beverlee Blessing, additional Team Tom members Mark Damschroder of Elmore and Kathryn Orta of Ohio/Virginia; caregivers Kerri, Kelli, Cheyenne, John, First Light Homecare, NW Ohio Hospice and many others

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, at Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 North Street, Fremont, OH, 43420. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A reception after the cemetery is being planned. For those unable to attend, live-streaming of Tom’s services will be available by following the link provided on his obituary page.

Flowers would be a wonderful contribution to his traditional funeral gathering and service.

To express online condolences, or to watch Tom’s funeral services or Tribute Video, please visit: www.hermanfh.com.