Thomas Winter Schuck

Thomas Winter Schuck passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was predeceased by parents Carl L. Schuck and Mary W. Schuck, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Readinger Schuck; daughter Stephanie and son-in-law William Lone; grandsons Alexander James and Patrick Thomas Lone; sister Carol Hockman and niece Jill Kozikowski. 

Tom was born September 19, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tom was raised with his sister Carol in Drexel Hill, Pa. where he was an Eagle Scout, and started his engineering career inventing creations such as using his chemistry set to accidentally set his neighbor's roof on fire and traveling miles to find parts to make a radio to listen to stations his parents didn’t approve of. 

His family would spend summer vacations in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Where he discovered his passion for sailing, power boating and fishing. His new found love motivated him the summer before college to get a job maintaining a marina and rental boats.  

He attended Lehigh University, where he discovered his gift for mathematics and science. This gift drove his Theta Chi fraternity brothers to name him the “go to guy” to soup up your cars. He was often seen racing his Indian Motorcycle in front of campus to test his latest modification.  He graduated and started his mechanical engineering career in 1965. 

One year later in 1966, he married the love of his life Mary, who was a registered nurse in Allentown. They settled down in Easton, and grew their family when in 1971 their daughter Stephanie gave their life added meaning. In 2017, Tom and Mary celebrated their 50 year anniversary by cruising the Caribbean.

As a young man, his career started at Ingersoll Rand in New Jersey and then Gardner Cryogenics. Followed by AirProducts where he had multiple patented inventions like the heat transfer exchange pump and others that revolutionized the industry and helped him to earn the title “Rocket Scientist” from those he interacted with at NASA. He was known for his thorough explanations of multiple engineering topics that were called the “bring your lunch and pajamas” sessions. His office was often referred to by then Air Products CEO Hap Wagner as his secret weapon or personal “skunk works.”

He brought his passion for innovation to his love of the ocean.  Often trying to devise more efficiencies for his boat and a better “mouse trap” for catching fish with his tackle. You would often find him fishing for bluefish and flounders in New Jersey and a wide variety of species with his son-in-law, daughter, and grandchildren in South Florida. As many species as he caught, his favorite to eat was his wife Mary’s famous Bluefish Almondine recipe. 

Tom had many boating adventures with his family in South Florida , such as an international trip to the Bahamas, exploring the waters of South Florida and the Florida Keys. He enjoyed the hunt of the occasional sailfish, but loved fresh caught Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail Snappers on the grill. 

Devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and friend he will be missed by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 15, 2021, from 2:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M., with a memorial service at 3:00 P.M.

To watch the live streaming of the service please go to the funeral home website: www.Baird-Casefh.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Catch A Dream Foundation https://www.catchadream.org/inmemory/ as it celebrates Tom’s passions.
 

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