R.I.P. TOM “DOC” MAND - Born 8/16/1951.  Died 9/6/2024.

Thomas Udo “Doc” Mand passed away 7:14 pm, September 6, 2024, at the Rainbow Hospice of the Resurrection Hospital in Chicago at the age of 73. In the past few years, Tom had fought a series of illnesses until his body finally broke down. Tom’s remains were cremated and a memorial celebration of his life will be held at a later undetermined date.

In death, Tom was surrounded by loved ones—Joyce Kuchar, his sweetheart for the past 10 years at Senior Suites, Mike DeMartino, his friend since he was five, and his old high school buddies, Phil Battaglia, Gary Daniels, and Tom Golz. Another childhood friend, Clark Mikes, had to leave early to tend his cows in Wisconsin.

Tom will be remembered for his warmth, generosity and friendship by the wide circle of those who knew him. Born an only child to the late Ilse and Ralf Mand, he was cared for primarily by his unforgettable “Granny” Hildegard Mand. After Granny was gone, Tom continued to live in his boyhood home on Kedvale Avenue in Chicago until foreclosure 10 years ago forced him to move to Senior Suites in Norwood Park.

Affectionately known as “Doc,” he created a family around him, mostly from pals in the hood and friends from his high school, Luther North. Tom’s gift was to weave us all into a convivial group who stayed with Tom through all the years. He threw many parties and poker games in his basement, sometimes supplied with Estonian meat pastries made by Granny.

No obituary for Tom would be complete without a note on his ever-ready sense of humor. In sorting through his old papers—and Tom was quite a packrat—I found his emcee notes that he wrote for his Eighth Grade Bethel Elementary School graduation dinner. They began, “I lost my notes on the way here, so I guess I’ll have to make it up as I go along…”

So much more could, and should, be said about Tom, but that will have to wait until we all get together one more time.

-TFG