 |
Thomas A. 'Tom' Bishop Rocky River, OH QCWA # 37285 Chapter 1 |
Thomas A . Bishop 72 passed away peacefully and accompanied by Friends early in the week of Dec 19th. Tom lived a very full life while adhering to core virtues of Love, Caring, Fellowship, Dignity, and Independence.
Tom was very proud of what he accomplished during his days with us. The following is a highlight of his journey.
An electronic enthusiast since the age of six when Tom started building Heath Kits, Tom was active at Woodbury Junior High School, Shaker Heights, OH, in Electronic Engineers Club, Stage Crew, and Projection Crew. Tom entered his Novice Amateur Radio license (WN8WAQ) in 1967 while a high school Junior and a member and an officer of the Westlake High School Amateur Radio Club (WA8VUA). He was also involved in the High School Drama Club. Next he earned his third class commercial radio telephone license with broadcast endorsement in anticipation of college where he participated at Kent State University's WKSU FM as both a Broadcast Engineer and Announcer. Tom has a diverse background in electronics, telecommunications, integrated home control (home automation), lighting control, custom audio/video, Home Theater, and boardroom multimedia and control.
At the beginning of his career, Tom worked for Ohio Bell telephone as an installer/repairman for seven years. While at Ohio Bell, Tom earned his Private Pilot's License in 1972, then, he added on Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings finally upgrading to a commercial pilot's license in 1974. He then spent two years in the Helicopter Charter Business as Vice President of Operations for Vertol Aviation Inc. In 1977 he started a thirteen-year career with Parker Hannifin Corporation's Aerospace group representing Parker Aerospace, Cleveland Wheel & Brakes and Airborne, where he held various staff, Division Marketing and Sales positions.
In 1980 Tom started TABCOM, Inc., a company pioneering the application of integrated home controls (home automation), custom audio/video, THX home theater, Local Area Networks, and telephone systems. He is a Certified THX Home Theater Designer & Installer, has been a member of CEDIA (Custom Electronic Designers and Installers Assoc.), HAA (Home Automation Assoc.), and has been Certified by Joe Kane of the ISF (Image Science Foundation).
Tom holds memberships in the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc.) and is Life Member in the NRA (Nation Rifle Assoc.), OFCC (Ohioans for Concealed Carry), LEARA (Lake Erie Amateur Radio Assoc. as Board member & Vice President), Former member of SREL (Sandusky Radio Experimental League), SYC (Sandusky Yacht Club), Ohio Lake Front Property Owners Assoc., AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics). Tom has also served as President of The Gatehouse Estates Home Owners Association and in 1992 was a charter member of the board of directors on the Helitron project, a development project for specialized lighting therapy systems that help with the treatment of the SAD syndrome and the creation of indoor artificial sunlight. In 1997 Tom graduated from the Case Western Reserve, Weatherhead School of Management's Professional Fellows Program and upon completion, was inducted into the Society of Professional Fellows from 1997-2002.
Closing his Business, TABCOM, Inc., due to the poor economics of 1999, 2000, 2001, dot Com bust and aftermath of 9/11 he retired for the time being in 2002.
Tom then decided to return to his long-time interests in Amateur Radio earning both his Technicians License, KC8WCJ, in March and General License, W8TAB, in April of 2003. In less than a year he enrolled in a winter 2004 license study class, tested and earned an upgrade to the Amateur Extra License. The Amateur Extra License. The Amateur Extra is the highest-class amateur radio license attainable. He was also elected to the office of Trustee in May 2004 and sits on the Board of the Lake Erie Amateur Radio Association, LEARA. In 2005/6/7 he was elected to Vice President and Program Chairman of LEAR. He also belongs to the USS COD Amateur Radio Club which broadcasts from the radio room of the World War II Submarine in the Cleveland inter harbor. Tom also does volunteer public relations for the Brookpark Team Elite Precision Roller Skating Team who ranked number one in the nation for the 6th time in their category. He was recently (4/08) started volunteering weekly as a reader on CSCN FM, the radio station for the Cleveland Sight Center which serves the sight impaired. Wanting to leverage his work at CSCN, Tom enrolled with VoiceCoaches.com in June 2009 to honor his skill as a voiceover artist and launch a new retirement career. As a follow on to his on-going learning Tom also enrolled in a Voice Acting Workshop with 30 plus year actress and voice talent Jean Zarzour in the first quarter of 2010.
For exercise Tom roller skates 3 to 4 times a week and has been taking lessons for four and half years now. In March of 2006 he earned his first bronze Bar in team dance and in November 2006 he earned his second bronze bar.
We plan to honor Tom with the following memorial services. Located at Busch Funeral Home 21369 Center Ridge Road, Fairview Park, Ohio 44116. Wake/Visitation on Wednesday, Dec. 29 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Funeral on Dec. 30 at 10:30am followed by burial services at Lakewood Park Cemetery 22025 Detroit Rd. Rocky River, OH 44116 and ending with a Life of Tom Celebration at Ironwood Cafe at 688 Dover Center Rd, Westlake, OH 44145. The family is requesting all that plan to attend to please wear facial coverings.(440) 333-9774 www.buschcares.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas A Bishop, please visit our flower store.