Thomas Russell Minnich

Thomas Russell Minnich, age 81, of Cedarville, Michigan, died December 9, 2018, in Petoskey, Michigan. He was born July 25, 1937, in Troy, Ohio, to Harold and Mary (Sharits) Minnich. Thomas grew up in Casstown, Ohio, where he attended Lost Creek and Miami East schools for his K-12 education. In his senior year, he won the J. W. Danforth/Purina Award Most Likely to Succeed (Boys to Win). Tom served in the United States Army and Army Reserve from 1961 through 1966 and earned the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge. He started working at Troy Tipp Telephone (later GTE) at age seventeen and worked his way through the ranks from lineman/installer to Northwest Ohio Area Service Manager. He directed the telephone communications for visits to Bowling Green of both President Reagan and President Ford. After 30 years with GTE, he adventured to Palmer, Alaska, where he was CEO of Matanuska Telephone Association. In Alaska, he was responsible for installation of the first full motion interactive fiber optic cable TV educational system in Mantanuska Valley. This project earned him an invitation from the U.S. Secretary of Education to travel to Washington D.C. to speak to the National Association of Teachers. In 1991, he was one of a group of CEO’s chosen to accompany the United States Director of National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to Poland to meet with the Polish government to assist with them transforming the government owned telephone system to privately owned companies. From Alaska, his telecommunications background took him and his wife Helen, to run telephone companies in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands;California; Georgetown, South America; and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. While in South America, he was responsible for installation of the first telephone system in the small village of New Amsterdam, down and across the Essequibo River in Guyana, South America. In 2002, he chose semi-retirement and moved to Cedarville where he continued consulting work and remained active with United States Telephone Association. As a member of the USTA Board, he worked within the National Security Committee closely with the Homeland Security to develop programs for protection of the national telecommunications system. Tom’s community involvement included teaching Sunday school, serving as a member of the Board of Deacons for the United Methodist Church of Bowling Green, Ohio, the Board of Directors for Valley Hospital in Palmer, Alaska, the Board of Utilities of Bowling Green, and the Board of Toledo Trust/Key Bank in Bowling Green. He also assisted Boy Scout Troop 140 Leaders at Michigan Boy Scout Jamboree in Munising in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Tom was named Citizen of The Year by Palmer, Alaska Chamber of Commerce. In 2005, he was nominated into Miami East Alumni Hall of Fame by his school classmates. While living in Cedarville, Tom also served as a volunteer deputy with the Mackinac County Sheriff Department. Although Tom worked so many years and places, he always made time for friends and family. Tom enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating, and hunting. He loved spending time with his grandson, Thomas Beukema, who was his pride and joy, and was a great influence in his grandson’s life. Tom loved working with and meeting people all over the world, helping them achieve their highest potential in both their jobs and life. Tom is survived by his wife, Helen (Tarcea) whom he married August 3, 1959; daughter, Christina (Mark) Minnich-Truby of Huntsville, Texas; grandson, Thomas (Lindsey) Beukema of Woodbridge, Virginia; and brother-in-law, John (Marilyn) Tarcea of Troy, Ohio. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph Minnich; and sister, Doris Jean Sullenberger. Services will be held Saturday, December 15, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. followed by the funeral service at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be in the spring at Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville, Michigan. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Thomas Russell Minnich

July 25, 1937 - December 9, 2018