Thomas A. Swanke

    Dr. Thomas Aquinas Swanke, 60, of Westmoreland Kansas died Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Wellsprings of Westmoreland, due to complications of dementia. 

    Thomas was born March 25, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois to Dr. John W. and Kathleen Swanke. He spent a portion of his childhood in Quebec, before settling in San Diego, California. Thomas stayed in San Diego through college, graduating from the University of San Diego with a bachelor's in Economics. While in San Diego, he met his future wife, Susan. They married on August 4, 1984.

    Thomas furthered his education, gaining his master's and doctorate at the University of Colorado in Boulder. After completing his Ph.D in Economics, Thomas went on to teach for 19 years, first at West Virginia State University, then at Chadron State College, and finally at Morningside College. At each school, he founded a chapter of the International Honors Society for Economics, Omicron Delta Epsilon.

    An avid learner, Thomas loved to travel the United States to visit national parks, museums, and other cultural landmarks. He was an active member of the Catholic Church, singing in the choir and playing instruments in every parish he attended. Thomas was a talkative, funny, kind-hearted man, who devoted his life to educating others. He believed that if talents weren't shared, they were wasted, and he made sure that he did not waste his. Even though he was taken too soon, Thomas will remain in our hearts as a devoted husband and father, who left the world better than he found it. 

    Thomas is survived by his wife Susan Swanke of Westmoreland KS; his son Peter Swanke Chicago IL; his daughter Heidi Vela (Tyler) Manhattan KS; his brothers, John J Swanke (Sharon) of Pinehurst NC, Hugh Swanke (Pamela) of Rawlins WY; and his sisters Adrienne Robbins (Freeman) of Ogden UT, and Julie Shields (Robert) of Port Neches TX.

    The family will greet friends during a visitation to celebrate his life on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Memorials are suggested to the Anne Catherine Swanke Memorial Scholarship and may be left in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, KS, P.O. Box 48, 66547, or the link to the fund: https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/music/resources/scholarships.php. Condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com.