Tom Pankiewicz, 75, of St. Joseph, MO passed away peacefully on June 17, 2023 at his home with his wife by his side.
Tom was born on October 8, 1947 to Francis and Josephine (Klein) Pankiewicz. He attended St. Peter and Paul grade school where he was also an active server at the church. He went on to attend and graduate from Christian Brothers High School. After high school, Tom attended St. Joseph Junior College and later graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a teaching degree in English.
Tom’s teaching career began at Bishop O’Hara High School in Kansas City, MO. At this time he began working towards his masters degree in English Education at UMKC. He returned to St. Joseph and began teaching English at Benton High School.
During his time at Benton, Tom taught hundreds of students, coached cross country, and most importantly, met the love of his life, a fellow teacher just down the hall, Cathy Gallagher.
Tom and Cathy’s whirlwind courtship took them on a Northwest Alumni trip to Switzerland in 1976. On Chapel Bridge over the River Reuss, Tom proposed. One year later on June 11, 1977, Tom and Cathy married at the Co-Cathedral in St. Joseph. Soon after, they became active members in what would become their permanent parish home, St. Francis Xavier. There Tom served as a lector, parish council member and president, and was one of the first covenanted members of the Companions of the Precious Blood.
Tom and Cathy were blessed with 5 children: Julia (1978), James (1980), Mary (1985), Melanie (1989), and Christopher (1991). Their home was not only full of children. Tom’s kind and gentle heart could never say no to the endless stream of needy creatures he and Cathy would bring home.
After spending 30+ years at Benton, Tom retired and moved to Missouri Western State University where he continued to teach English for the next decade.
One of Tom’s many passions was traveling. According to one of Tom’s many journal entries, his idea of happiness was being lost in Europe on a cobblestone street with his wife. Over the years their travels took them to numerous countries across Europe.
Tom was an avid reader, writer, and scholar. He surrounded himself in his home with books, journals, and items that held memories close to his heart. Tom enjoyed walking down Ashland pondering the day’s questions- both big and small.
Tom’s other big passion was the Prairie Lands Writing Project. He was a mentor to writing teachers all over the region. Throughout his years, he inspired educators by transforming their teaching and encouraging a new approach to creative writing in the classroom. His love of writing was contagious.
His retirement brought him the joy of grandchildren and allowed him the time to serve others through the Open Door Food Kitchen and the House of Bread.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Josephine, as well as twin brothers, John and Joseph.
Tom is survived by his wife, Cathy, his children, Julia (Emma), James, Mary (Ryan), Melanie (Kyle), Christopher (Kelsey), his siblings, Margaret (Robert), Michael (Teresa), Theodore, and Marilyn, and his grandchildren, Savannah, Sofia, Felix, Patrick, and Louisa.
A visitation will be held Thursday, June 22, 2023 at St. Francis Xavier Church. A rosary will be said at 5:30 with a visitation to follow from 6:00-8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Xavier is scheduled for Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:00 am.
Arrangements under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.
