May 28th, 1940 – June 21st, 2023

Thomas A. Gosebrink, 83, died on June 21, 2023, with family around him.

Tom was born at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis; he attended Assumption school in south St. Louis County, St. Louis University High School and Rockhurst College in Kansas City.  Following college, he taught at the Ras Desta School in Yirgalem, Ethiopia as a Peace Corps volunteer. His experiences there gave him a life-long appreciation of African cultures and spicy food.  Returning stateside, he enrolled in the African Studies Program at UCLA. Tom was drafted and served two years in the U.S Army.

Returning to UCLA, Tom met his future wife, Jean, also a student in the African Studies Program.

Tom earned a PhD in political science from St. Louis University and worked in economic and community development in St. Louis. He was a passionate educator and taught at many area schools, including Sumner High School, Harris Stowe College, St. Louis University; he ended his teaching career as a librarian/teacher at Northwest R-i in House Springs.  After retirement, Tom fulfilled a bucket-list wish by volunteering as a docent at Laumeier Sculpture Park.

Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean, his son Henry, his brother Fred (Mary Jane) Gosebrink, nephew John (Janine) Gosebrink, niece Karen (Brian) Maurer, great nephews and nieces Heather Gosebrink, Erick Gosebrink, Jenna Haselhorst and Jack Haselhorst.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Holy Redeemer Church, Webster Groves on Saturday, July 22, at 10:00 am. Family and friends are invited to Llwelyns, Moody Avenue, Webster Groves, after mass.  Contributions in Tom’s name may be made to Laumeier Sculpture Park and to the Kino Border Initiative (www.kinoborderinitiative.org), POBox 159, Nogales, AZ 85628-0159.