Thomas Eugene Wendel

Portland, Maine -- Thomas Eugene Wendel, of Portland, ME, and Fresno, CA, formerly of Potomac, MD, died peacefully on October 20, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer. The eldest of 10 children, Tom was a humble leader from the start, valued education and learning and was well respected in his field of work. He was loved dearly by his family and will be sorely missed. Tom was born on August 28, 1948, in DeWitt, Iowa, to Donald and Mary Clare (Burke) Wendel. Tom grew up on the family farm, helping his parents, aunts and uncles while setting the tone for his nine siblings. His education began in a one-room schoolhouse, allowing him to learn from older students, which he attributed to his academic success. Tom was proud to be the first in his family to attend college, receiving a scholarship and graduating from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, with an accounting degree. After graduation, Tom began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen in Chicago but was soon drafted into the Army and assigned to Fort Hood, Texas. The draft interrupted his career plans but fatefully he met his wife Brenda at a party in Houston, Texas. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and they married in Nada, Texas, leaving the next day to start their lives together in Chicago. After several years in Chicago, where Tom and Brenda had their first child, Stephanie, the family moved to Houston, Texas, where Tom was promoted to Partner with Arthur Andersen. While in Houston, Tom and Brenda had their second child, Jacqueline. Ten years later, looking for a new challenge, Tom and family moved to Potomac, Maryland where Tom became CFO of Garfinkel's department stores and then Scripps League Newspapers. For the last 20 years, Tom was CFO and later CEO of Investigative Group International in Washington, D.C. He greatly enjoyed his work and the strategy and analysis it involved. He retired only in the last few weeks after his diagnosis. Tom loved family life. Cherished memories include family road trips, several vacations and his infamous birthday party candle tricks. More recently, he loved being a grandfather and enjoyed traveling, wineries, fantasy football and settling into his daughters' adopted hometowns of Portland and Fresno. His wisdom, thoughtfulness, sense of humor and presence will be sorely missed by his family. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Brenda (Lobpries); his mother, Mary Clare Wendel; his daughters, Stephanie (Steven) Hedlund and Jacqueline (Jason) Davidson; his grandchildren, Annalise, Annika, and Logan; his siblings, Jerry (Terry) Wendel, Mary Ellen (Ron) Smith, Joe (Deb Holstein) Wendel, Jean Neumann, Joan (Lee) Good, Steve (Kelly) Wendel, Laura (Marty) Cavanaugh, Donald (Mary) Wendel, Philip (Kelley) Wendel; and many nieces, nephews and uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Donald Wendel; grandson, Matthew Wendel Davidson; nephew, Aaron Smith; and niece, Jill Walters; and several aunts and uncles. The family wishes to thank the teams at Maine Health Cancer Center, St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their kind and compassionate care. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Conroy Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine. A Mas of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 at 10am at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland, Maine, with a gathering of family and friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Tom's memory by donating to a scholarship fund in Tom's name at St. Ambrose University at https://giving.sau.edu/. Please note it's for the Tom Wendel Memorial Gift.