Thomas E. Konkle, 69, of Vincennes, IN, passed away July 29,2017, at the BridgePointe Health Campus.
Tom was a proud Indiana University alum, and was an avid IU sports fan. When he was not cheering on the Hoosiers, fishing, reading, and spending time with his family were favorite activities. He was a member of Franklin Heights Christian Church, and led the church’s Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous fundraising efforts for nearly 10 years.
Tom retired as Director of Academic Advising at Vincennes University, serving for 12 years in that position, from 2002 – 2014. Prior to that he was a Professor and the Director of Clinical Education for Vincennes University’s Respiratory Care Practitioner program for 23 years, from 1979 to 2002. A longtime member of the Indiana Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC), serving in various leadership roles, he was instrumental in bringing licensure for respiratory care practitioners to the state of Indiana. Tom served as Chairman of the Respiratory Care Committee of the Medical Licensing Board from 1989 to 2010. As a result of his dedication to and work in the field of respiratory care, Tom was awarded the ISRC’s President’s Award in 1981, 1989, and 1993. His leadership in the field also spanned the national level, having been nominated to the Board of Directors of the American Association for Respiratory Care on two separate occasions.
Born April 24, 1948, in Ft. Wayne, IN, he was the son of Wilmer and Jean (Sheets) Konkle. His parents precede him.
On June 20, 1970, Tom married Patricia Dyer. She survives, along with his daughters, Angela Konkle of Charlotte, NC and Julie Konkle of Greenwood, IN, and his brother, Mike Konkle and his wife, Andrea, of Noblesville, IN.
Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 – 8:00 EDT on Tuesday, August 1 at the Gardner-Brockman Funeral Home, 505 Main Street, Vincennes. The funeral will be at 10:30 EDT on Wednesday, August 2 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to the family through gardnerbrockman.com.
