Here is a video of the service in its entirety.
Thank you:
On behalf or the Rondeau family, we would like to thank everyone who made it to Thomas’ Celebration of Life memorial service.
Special thanks go to those who extended their time and love to make this experience something truly special.
As images and more become available, we will share them here.
Thank you for continued support, and keeping the spirit of TO Rondeau alive, and well.
Chinese Studies…in High School…in Wisconsin…Mid-Eighties. Way ahead of his time.
Thanks my man.
To Tom & the Rondeau family:
It is with a sad heart that I write this, but it is also with gratitude for my good fortune to have met up with all of you some forty years after first meeting Tom as my instructor in two night classes in my younger days as a teacher. From the moment I met Tom, I knew I was in the presence of no ordinary person, and certainly, no ordinary educator. On the contrary, I knew I had met the kind of teacher I hoped to become. I will never know if I ever reached the pinnacle of educational excellence I sought. But, I do know that Tom Rondeau did.
After my initial experience as an adult student in Tom’s night classes, 40 plus years went by before we chanced to meet again on a Brookfield street in front of his home. Neither one of us had a clue as to the identity of the person of whom we were chatting. But, after some bits of conversation characterized by Tom’s engaging and humorous banter, I realized I was once again face to face with a long lost acquaintance, Mr. Rondeau, formerly of Wauwatosa East High School. We knew immediately we liked each other; we had ties to our alma mater the University Of Wisconsin, and we we were forever linked to our past careers as teachers-he in Wauwatosa-and I in West Allis.
For the last four years Tom and I have met for breakfasts, traded our favorite books and authors, told some naughty stories and jokes to each other, and laughed our butts off with each other until our sides ached with pain (even more than they usually did). Those precious moments and the frequent visits with the Rondeau family at Candy Bouquet will live with me forever.
So now Tom-my friend, my teacher, my mentor -I will never forget you. The bonds that have been forged with you and Sally and Scott and Susan will endure the tests of time and circumstance. My memories of you and our friendship will make my days joyful and complete. I hope they did the same for you.
You are one in a million.
Your friend always,
Lloyd
I took Mr. Rondeau’s Asian studies class at Wauwatosa East in the late 1970s. It was a truly high quality social studies class. Things I learned in that class has remained with me to this day. It created a life-long fascination with China and led me to take more classes in college. That class always made me feel like I am less ignorant about that part of the world, now a very important part of the world. He was a dedicated teacher and gave me an early experience with analyzing culture. I am grateful that for what he taught me.
He helped me through a difficult time in my life with the loss of my great grandmother which in turn he helped me in passing his American Government class, so with a tear in my eye and a thank you I send you a heart felt goodbye and R.I.P to a great man ,Father and friend.
I couldn’t imagine why anyone would like history classes — that is, until, as a senior in high school, I had Mr. Rondeau. I remember writing a letter (as a class) to Madame Chiang Kai-Shek; sending a tape with questions to Pearl Buck (after reading “The Good Earth”); reading and discussing Turgenev’s “Fathers and Sons”; watching films narrated by that…interesting… little guy with the bow tie (Michael B. Petrovitch?!); discussing the newly released movie “Dr. Zhivago”; and planning a (classtime) baby shower before Susan was born. It was all such fun! Now, as a Waldorf teacher, I even more fully appreciate the wonderful images given by Mr. Rondeau in his lessons, the care he had for his students, the passion he had for his subject. We were all so very fortunate to have him as our “Beloved Leader!” 🙂 I will surely continue to send him my deepest gratitude. And, thank you for setting up this site! Warm greetings to all.
Tom was not only a friend and a patient, he was a mentor! His love of teaching and people inspired me to get into teaching myself, and 40 years later, I am still on the faculty at Marquette University school of Dentistry. He was a rare individual in all aspects, and am truly grateful that I had the chance to know him. I miss you Tom!
Me Rondeau was the most influential teacher I had back in the late 70’s I fell in love with Pearl Buck and he made me want to become a better student
I owe my M.A. in History to that year spent in Mr. Rondeau’s American History class. While it took me nearly 17 years after graduating to obtain it, the passion he had for history never left me and is still with me today. I was the first one of his students to refuse an attitude grade (it would have lowered my high 90’s academic grade average).
His navy stories about Greenland, etc. were hilarious. One of the greatest teachers I had.
F. Eric Utz, Class of ’66
Tom & Family,
I recall enjoying the friendship of your family, especially at picnics at Devil’s Lake. Thanks for your hospitality when we visited your ‘winter’ home near Parrish FL.
I intend to maintain communication with my cousin Sally.
Yes, Tom Rondeau was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, teacher…but he was also a Fabulous Uncle. When I was a little girl, my “Uncle Tommy” (Dad’s younger brother) seemed to light up a room when he walked into it; either with his goofy grin or his mischief which he LOVED to get us into to vex our parents. He was still in college and traveling the world (or so it seemed to me) when we were young. We waited with high anticipation for a visit from Uncle Tom. Never did we trim our Christmas tree until he could be there to help us. Never did we go to sleep before he told us a wonderful story. He never read to us; always TOLD us his stories: scary stories, funny stories, historical or anything he thought would interest us. And he always altered his voice to fit the occasion (his scary voice was awesome).
One day, my family and I visited him in his classroom. I was maybe 11 or 12 at the time and was amazed that he had his students bring an old shoe from home and dismantle it, piece by piece so they would understand what went into the making of it. What wonderment was this? I always wished he could be a teacher to me and my friends – I wanted to show him off….but we lived in another town.
And, as happens in most lives, we grow up and have other things to think about than our relatives. But Uncle Tom will always be a loving and golden memory in my heart.
The high point of the day was walking into T.O.’s Russian History classroom; the low point of the day was leaving his class back in 65/66.
His intellectual curiosity and zest for teaching, warm sense of humor with just the right dose of irreverence, and his obvious love and respect for his students created a remarkable learning environment that ultimately transcended generations.
A mere 9 years after the October Hungarian revolt against the Soviets in the height of the Cold War, as a Hungarian speaking immigrant I had strong views. T.O. started calling me “Radio Budapest” – affectionately – but clearly with the intent of nudging me to remain objective in my analysis and conclusions.
Tom was the best educator, and by far the most memorable, throughout my studies in political science, history, management and administration. His impact on my teaching and relationships with kids was profound.
Later on in life as I returned to teaching, I had the opportunity to reconnect with T.O. in Oconomowoc where he was consulting with We the People. Driving down from Door County I was a few minutes late so we had a chance to see each other in the hallway outside the seminar entry door. Immediately he said,” Well, if it isn’t Radio Budapest…” I told him I became a teacher because of him, he responded with that grin on his face, “Do you hate me for it?”
As the conference ended, I asked Tom if he and his family could come up and stay with us in one of our cottages. We are so pleased that the Rondeau’s were able to come.
Generations of kids are better off because we had Mr. Rondeau as our teacher and mentor. Thank you Tom.
Arps Horvath /Class of 66
The high point of the day was walking into T.O.’s Russian History classroom; the low point of the day was leaving his class back in 65/66.
His intellectual curiosity and zest for teaching, warm sense of humor with just the right dose of irreverence, and his obvious love and respect for his students created a remarkable learning environment that ultimately transcended generations.
A mere 9 years after the October Hungarian revolt against the Soviets in the height of the Cold War, as a Hungarian speaking immigrant I had strong views. T.O. started calling me “Radio Budapest” – affectionately – but clearly with the intent of nudging me to remain objective in my analysis and conclusions.
Tom was the best educator, and by far the most memorable, throughout my studies in political science, history, management and administration. His impact on my teaching and relationships with kids was profound.
Later on in life as I returned to teaching, I had the opportunity to reconnect with T.O. in Oconomowoc where he was consulting with We the People. Driving down from Door County I was a few minutes late so we had a chance to see each other in the hallway outside the seminar entry door. Immediately he said,” Well, if it isn’t Radio Budapest…” I told him I became a teacher because of him, he responded with that grin on his face, “Do you hate me for it?”
As the conference ended, I asked Tom if he and his family could come up and stay with us in one of our cottages. We are so pleased that the Rondeau’s were able to come.
Generations of kids are better off because we had Mr. Rondeau as our teacher and mentor. Thank you Tom.
Arps Horvath /Class of 66
T.O. was my introduction to life outside of Wauwatosa , namely Russia and China, in “Non-Western” studies. Great memories of reading/discussing “The Good Earth” by Pearl Buck and attending the Milwaukee Symphony’s performance of Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony. Thank you T.O.
Wow…where do I start with Mr. Rondeau. What an amazing person. My sister, Barb, first clued me in to the experience she was having, being in TR student in the “Asian Studies” class. She thoroughly enjoyed the cerebrally stimulating opportunities presented in his class, each and every day. And she excelled in the environment, evident in her “straight A” accomplishments. Unfortunately, she set such a high bar, that when I came into the picture, I was, to the Professor, “the much lesser half.” Sure, it was a bit condescending, but done with such a sense of humor and that trademark glint in his eye, that is was funny and challenging at the same time. I loved his approach, and kept in touch through occasional TO sightings at First Congregational Church during my years outside the local area. After moving back here from San Diego 5 years ago, I saw he and his family with more regularity at First Church. He would cruise by me as he went down the center aisle toward his customary front left 7th row area, and say something like…”Aspinwall, we’re gonna turn you into a Christian yet!” I would just shake my head and keep my laughter muted. love you man! Notes from Barb to follow…
All the best to the family…you are in our thoughts and prayers…Best Regards, Keith, Barb, and Betsy…
Barb says…what does one say about T.R.? He opened my eyes to parts of this world I did not know about; he opened my heart to cultures I did not understand; he inspired me to be better than I thought I could be to earn his friendship and respect. It carried through high school, college, grad school, teaching college, raising kids & grandkids, helping customers and homeless men trying to their GED’s and find work. Humor, encouragement, and discipline. He was a true shining star-& he had a lot of competition at East. Rest in peace, dear teacher, but keep in mind that there are thousands of us who will seek you out for advice, humor, and compassionate inspiration when we pass over. We will keep you busy up above when we join you! To Sir With Love, Barbara Aspinwall-Gittings
Mr. Rondeau was my favorite teacher at Tosa East. His Asian Studies class that I took my Senior year was very interesting and stimulating. He really got his students engaged in discussion and kept our attention with his humor, knowledge and fun attitude in the classroom. I thought back from time to time what was my most memorable class from high school, and always came back to Mr. Rondeau. R.I.P. and thanks for a great education! – Brian Olson – Class of ’77
A truely great teacher. I have thought about Mr. Rondeau often in the almost 30 years since I had the pleasure of being in his Asian studies class. He really opened the world to his students. Sincere condolences to his family. Wendi Galligan Abeberry ’78
The Memorial service to Tom on Saturday was a first-rate tribute to a man who will be in my thoughts the remainder of my years. I will treasure forever those three and one-half hours I got to spend with him, rekindling old memories, on Halloween last year. Having met many great men in my life, I will always regard Tom as one of the most impressive.
I had already visited most of the nation on family travels before I took Mr. Rondeau’s Geography course as a sophomore at East in 1960-61, so it was fun having him test me on subjects (especially the States) I knew something about; it gave me considerable time to settle back at my desk and watch what he was evidently born to do. That continued the next year (same hour too, 1st) when I had him for US History. If he had not gone to Hawaii the next year, I would have had him for three different subjects in the same class period. One of a few East alums to gravitate into journalism, I was pleased to tell Tom I had once interviewed Harrison Salisbury of the NY Times, who had been the first Western reporter inside China after Mao took over and who authored the definitive work on the siege of Stalingrad during World War II.
Having three older brothers who loved Tom as a teacher, it was a must that I take his classes. It was the best choice I made and without a doubt the most influential teacher I have ever had. I had a chance to have breakfast with Tom a few years back while visiting Wisconsin and it was like no time lapsed since 1971. Tom remembered every class and every student. On several occasions I run into people living in other states who graduated from tosa east and his name is what comes up first. Wish god made more of him to go around in this world.
Mr. Rondeau (I am now 70 years old and I could never call Mr. Rondeau anything but “Mr. Rondeau”) introduced me to loving to learn. My best friend, Ann Ferguson, and I were in his Russian history class as seniors in 1962. Although we had had some exceptional teachers like Miss Crawford and Miss Burke, it was Mr. Rondeau who somehow showed me that a person could continue to explore a subject long beyond school days. Perhaps it was the subject matter–current and living–and certainly it was the joy and passion he had for his subject and his humor, etc., because along the way I learned from him to be hungry to learn, to enjoy it, have fun, and use common sense. He was the best teacher I ever had. In my own career I have worked with hundreds of teachers over the years who were in master’s programs. I often used teachers I had in school as examples. Mr. Rondeau was famous among grad students attending Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Viterbo College! He was a well-loved example for them!