Thomas Elliott Obituary

Thomas Elliott, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Butler, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Tom was born on Jan. 8, 1935.
Tom grew up in Toledo, Ohio. He and his wife, Susan, were high school sweethearts, having both attended the University of Toledo. Tom graduated from Alma College with a B.S. in biology. They were married in 1958, and in 1959 Tom served in the U.S. Army in Schweinfurt, West Germany. They traveled around Europe in a Volkswagen, fueled with gas at 13 cents a gallon. They lived in an apartment where the Polish landlady did not speak English and they spoke neither German nor Polish. A neighbor acted as an intermediary.
He returned to the states, finished his M.S. at Michigan State University (Go Green!), and joined ASA (Applied Science Associates). It became a multi-faceted organization involving behavioral science, ergonomics, personnel management, software development, printing, and training for government and industrial users. When he started, there were only two men and a secretary; when he retired as president, there were over 150 employees. After retirement, he taught management at Butler County Community College, and led the expansion and modernization of the county library system.
They made their home in Butler for decades, while Sue was raising their children, Daniel and Elizabeth. He and Sue were sailors, winning the Governor's Cup at Moraine State Park in 1975. He grew orchids and had a large vegetable garden for years. The proceeds of which he used to cook his famous "Pie's Homemade Vegetable Soup."
He and Sue volunteered for Irene Stacey. Their family also spent a lot of time at Penn Valley Athletic Club. They moved to Sarasota, Fla., where they were third-generation residents at Plymouth Harbor (PH).
Tom had many hobbies including flying airplanes. He enjoyed woodworking, and was often found helping his neighbors at PH with repairs and other projects. He helped craft the doors to the PH chapel. He served on the PH Health & Wellness Committee, was a member of the men's group, was president of the Residents' Association, and served on the Plymouth Harbor Board of Trustees.
He is survived by his sister, Gretchen Elliott Cochran Bohnhoff; his wife, Susan; his daughter, Elizabeth Elliott, and her spouse, Helen Enander; his granddaughters, Anna Elliott and Eliza Elliott; his son, Dan Elliott, and his spouse, Maria Van Liew; and his nieces, nephews and so many, many dear friends.
Memorials may be sent in Tom's name to The Plymouth Harbor Foundation, 700 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236.