Thomas Cary Pleger passed away on Sunday, May 7, at the tender age of 48 surrounded by his loving family. Thomas was born April 24, 1969 to Ernest and Barbara Pleger. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara.

From the beginning, Tom was destined to be special. He loved learning for the sake of enlightenment, which started with walks on the beach with his father looking for American Indian artifacts. He was fascinated by the skill required to make the artifacts and the information one could gleam from them about previous inhabitants. He also loved the water, and so time spent looking for artifacts with his father was indeed precious.

A former Dean and CEO at UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, Tom became the eighth president at Lake Superior State University on July 1 2014. He received his doctoral degree in Archaeology and Anthropology at UW-Madison and spent 21 years teaching at various private and public institutions. Dr. Pleger's tenure as LSSU's eighth president began July 1, 2014. Prior to moving to Michigan, he spent 21 years serving throughout the University of Wisconsin system, most recently as Campus Executive Officer and Dean at UW Baraboo-Sauk County. He held a doctorate in Archeology and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and was a licensed archeologist specializing in the Upper Great Lakes region and the use of copper technology by prehistoric Native Americans. Tom was a firm believer that everyone should be afforded access to a liberal arts education. To say Tom was smart would be an understatement; it was rare to come across a subject in which he was not well –versed. He possessed ceaseless curiosity.

After marrying his wife, Teresa, on June 23, 1990, Thomas worked his way through the university ranks from part-time lecturer to president, but whatever title or rank he held, he was first and foremost, a very kind human being. Tom was a hard worker, he set goals, and did whatever work was necessary to achieve them without so much as a complaint. As he moved up through the ranks he lifted others and took immense joy in assisting his students and colleagues toward reaching their dreams. To be around Tom was encouraging; he was a genuinely good guy and the definition of integrity.

To be around Tom Pleger was a gift. He was a man who sought only the best, and that is what he saw in the people around him. The bar was set high when you were in his presence, but he believed in rigor and the constant pursuit of excellence. Good was never good enough.

Tom was a man of many interests, he loved the outdoors, loved animals,  photography, loved all things wood, all things quality stereo/audio, all things quality leather, all things water and boating, all things UW, all things LSSU. The list goes on-he lived and loved large. He loved his wife and family with a fierce devotion and immense pride.

Tom was loved and adored by his wife, Teresa Schaefer Pleger, and his presidential puppies: Duke, Earl, and Yooper, horse Aldo, and parrot Silver. Tom brought so much joy to his family which included Teresa's parents Dave and Linda Schaefer of Whitehall, Teresa's brother Steve and wife Kayla Schaefer-daughters Olivia and Jill, and brother Keith Schaefer (special friend Laura Halfman) of Wauwatosa.

He is also missed and remembered fondly by his father, Ernest Pleger of Marinette, brother Tim and wife Stacie Pleger, sons Matt, Andrew, Chad and Collin, and Tom's sister Amy Pfister, along with her husband Tom and their children Dominic, Allyson, Zach, Sammy, and Jake.

A celebration of life will be held at Riverside Country Club, Marinette, WI on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 3-6 pm.He was and will always be a bright light, he made all those around him shine.  We will continue to carry the torch.