Thomas R. Eggert passed away peacefully of natural causes on November 29, 2022 in Centennial, Colorado. He was 95 years old.
Tom was born June 3, 1927 in Jackson, MI, the son of Thomas A. Eggert and Jean E. Russell. He earned the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America, to which he added the Order of the Arrow during his adult life. He graduated from the University School, Shaker Heights, OH in June, 1945 and then served in the U. S. Navy before attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. A member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Tom graduated from MIT in June, 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering. He remained an active supporter of MIT throughout his life, and was especially proud to attend his 50th class reunion.
While in Boston at MIT, Tom met Audrey J. Grossart. Their marriage in her hometown of Evanston, IL on September 9, 1950, endured for 72 years until his passing. Audrey survives Tom as do their three children Charles (St. Louis, MO), Constance (Phoenix, AZ), and William (Centennial, CO). Tom is also survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. “Trif”, as he was known to his family, loved, supported, and provided well for them.
Tom had a successful management career in steel castings for the railroad industry in Atchison, KS and Chicago, IL before moving to Colorado where he established a real estate brokerage business in 1971.
Tom was elected as an Arapahoe County Commissioner in 1976, a position in which he served with great dedication, diligence and distinction for twenty years through four successful reelection campaigns. His leadership and contributions to the responsible development, growth, and quality of life in Arapahoe County, the Denver region, and the state of Colorado were widely recognized for their excellence. His particular focus was on water resources, air and water quality, transportation, and social services.
For his outstanding service to the community, Tom received many awards including most notably the John V. Christensen Memorial Award from the Denver Regional Council of Governments in 1990, Distinguished Service Awards from Colorado Counties and DRCOG in 1984 and 1987 respectively, and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award in 1995.
Tom retired as an Arapahoe County Commissioner in 1996. In his retirement, he especially enjoyed travel with Audrey, time with his grandchildren, gardening, fishing, and skiing. Always active and fit, he made his last ski runs at age 85.
A celebration of Tom’s life is being planned for a later date by his family. Interment will be at St. Gabriel Episcopal Church in Cherry Hills Village. The family suggests that those desiring to honor Tom’s life may wish to make a donation to Christian Living Communities – Holly Creek or St. Gabriel Episcopal Church.