CHAPTER 24, Inc., MADISON, WI
SBE Chapter 24 Tom Smith Obituary (Click on above photo for full size version)



Thomas C. Smith
February 27, 1949 - October 22, 2022


A lifelong Wisconsin broadcast engineer, longtime member of SBE Chapter 24 and of the WBA Broadcasters Clinic Committee, Tom Smith, has passed away. He was 73.

Thomas Charles Smith was born on February 27, 1949 to Charles and Elaine (Esser) Smith in Fond du Lac, WI. He was raised by Charles and Edna Smith after the loss of his mother at the age of 4. Tom was married to Linda Ann Olig on July 14th, 1973. After a 6-year battle with cancer, he succumbed to his illness on Oct. 22, 2022 with his family at his side.

Tom began his long career in television and radio at KFIZ TV in Fond du Lac. In 1976, Tom and Linda moved to Sun Prairie, WI where they raised their family. He retired from a 36-year long career at WHA-TV as a broadcast engineer and radio frequency coordinator. After retirement, Tom's love for T.V. and radio continued by helping at local stations. Tom was an active member in SBE and WBA. Tom was an avid lover of music, model railroads and cars, history, genealogy, his 1970 Dodge Challenger, and his friends and family.

Tom served SBE Chapter 24 (Madison) as its Frequency Coordinator from 1992 until he passed. He served as the Chapter's Secretary in 1985, and again from 2006 to 2009, as its Vice Chair from 1999 to 2001 and again from 2003 to 2005, and as its Chairman from 2001 through 2003. In addition Tom kept the Chapter updated on FCC movements by authoring FCC News in their monthly newsletter beginning in 1993 through 2022. Tom's impact on the success of the Chapter was immense.

Survivors include his wife Linda; daughters Rebecca (Peter) Sewell and Amanda (Ravi) Perera; and grandchildren Henry Sewell and Eleanor Sewell. He is further survived by his brothers Tim (Sue) Smith, Steve (Mary Beulow) Smith, Brad Smith, Chris Smith, Bruce (Jenny Markwiese) Smith, and Todd (Diane) Smith; sister Pam (Tom) Marcoe; brothers-in-law Richard (Linda) Olig, Gary (Monica) Olig, and Lee (Lorrie) Olig; sisters-in-law Pam (Larry) Petrie and Mona (Robert) Behlke; and several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents (Charles and Elaine Smith) and Edna Smith; brother Greg Smith; sister-in-law Linda Smith; brothers-in-law Dennis Olig and Joseph Olig; and parents-in-law Leander and Anna Mae Olig.

Special Thank you to the caring staff at St. Mary's Hospital and the cancer center; especially the nurses, Fr. Pat, Dr. Sanyal and Dr. Schug.

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