Anchorage resident Thomas M. Toper, 85, died of natural
causes on Oct. 7, 2009, at the 3rd Medical Group Hospital at Elmendorf
Air Force Base. At his request, no memorial service was held. A private
military inurnment of his ashes was held at Fort Richardson National
Cemetery.
Thomas was born Sept. 21, 1924, in North Braddock, Pa. In 1943, he
graduated from Scott High School in Braddock. He then attended the
University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree
in 1948.
Mr. Toper was a World War II veteran who served in
Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He
fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received three Bronze Stars for
his service. He received an honorable discharge in January 1946.
He worked for Gulf Oil Co. from 1950 to 1964 in
Venezuela. In 1965, he began working for Oasis Oil Co. in Tripoli,
Libya. In 1970, Thomas then began work for British Petroleum, which
brought him to Alaska in the summer of 1975. He worked for BP until his
retirement.
Thomas was an avid golfer and a member of the Midnight
Sons Barbershop singing group. He enjoyed playing piano, speaking
Spanish, foreign travels, including 508 regimental reunions, visiting
extended family and stage acting. He was a member of the American Legion
and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His family wrote: "Tom remained passionate
throughout his life about his military service, oil patch related
business and travel, his social circles and family."
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Peter T. Toper and Roser
Gelida of Santa Monica, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law, Polly and
Laurel Peterson of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law, Meg and Jon Van
Wyk of Seattle; and grandchildren, Katie and Leland Peterson of
Anchorage and Phillip, Ellen and Hannah Van Wyk of Seattle. Arrangements
are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
[Source: Anchorage Daily News October 14, 2009] |
(courtesy of Lynn Rogers)
Grave marker for Thomas M. Toper in the Fort
Richardson National Cemetery, Fort Richardson
(Anchorage Borough), Alaska |
