Thomas Hall Musser

Friday, September 21, 2018

Thomas Hall Musser, 70, of Greencastle, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 at home surrounded by his family.

Tom was born in Albert Lea, Minn., on July 13, 1948, the son of John and Jeannette (Hall) Musser.

Tom graduated from Austin High School in 1966 and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Mankato State College. After serving in the U.S. Army, Tom earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of Arizona as well as his Arizona CPA.

Tom served in the U.S. Army from 1970-71, stationed in Seoul, Korea, where he was married Feb. 14, 1971 to his surviving wife, Janet (Bellrichard) Musser.

Tom worked in the late 1970s in Iran as a financial manager for a subsidiary of General Electric as well as an auditor for Bell Helicopter.

Tom began his teaching career in 1980 at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for four years and then taught three years at Concordia College in Montreal, Quebec. The family then moved back to the U.S. where he taught for 13 years at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. He then taught one year at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Tom joined the DePauw University faculty in 2001 until retiring as a full professor at the conclusion of the 2017-18 academic year. At retirement he was named the emeritus professor of economics and management.

Tom was very dedicated to his students and their education, he inspired and had a lasting impact on so many lives over the 38 years of his teaching career. He truly loved his job.

Tom was an avid reader, DePauw and Minnesota sports fan, loved listening to a wide range of music, enjoyed traveling and owned many loved but not well trained dogs over the years. But most of all, Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, an exceptional teacher and colleague and a good friend to so many people. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Janet; son Paul (Ellie) Musser of Chicago; daughters Anna Musser of Boston and Rachel (Brett) Evans of Valparaiso; three beautiful grandchildren, Malcolm and Nelson Musser and Peggy May Evans; two sisters, Georgiana (Mike) Gregson, Idaho, and Mary (John) Bellrichard, Minnesota; two brothers, Ben (Sally) Musser and Harry (Wendy) Musser of Minnesota; and sister-in-law Carol (John) Musser of California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John Musser and brother-in-law Steve Morgan.

A memorial service will take place at DePauw University, at Meharry Hall in East College, Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.

Tom's ashes will be laid to rest in Wells, Minn., next summer.