Thomas Pogreba

Thomas Lawrence Pogreba, 92 peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge Dec. 21, 2024, with his wife of 52 years Claudia by his bedside in St George, Utah. Tom was born Oct. 13, 1932, to Thomas Michael and Hattie (Hedwig Stotko) Pogreba in Everett, Washington.

After graduating from Everett High School, Tom enrolled at Seattle University where he met and married Albina Cecelia Bowen, the mother of his two children, Linda Leilani and Edward Allan. After serving two years in the Navy, he earned his undergraduate degree and began his teaching career in Burien, Washington.

Shortly thereafter, he was offered a scholarship to Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where he completed a master’s degree in mathematics. Tom again returned to teaching, this time at Ingraham High School, Seattle, Washington and Seattle Community College. At Ingraham he served as Department Chair, coaching tennis and golf.

In 1972, Tom received a National Science Foundation Scholarship to pursue doctoral studies in Mathematics Curriculum at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Education. It was there where he met Claudia Grams a teacher at Madison Memorial High school. They married June 6, 1973, in a small ceremony at St Paul’s Chapel, on the University Wisconsin, Madison campus. They took pride in writing their own personal ceremony. That summer Tom and family moved to Seattle where Tom resumed his teaching career. He retired from teaching after 30 years. Prior to retiring he was awarded the Seattle Teacher of the Year.

Following his retirement, Tom became a Certified Financial Planner focusing on helping public employees secure their financial futures. He worked part time with SAFECO before starting his own financial business. His dedication to service extended beyond his career; he volunteered for Fair Housing initiatives in South Seattle and inspired many with his determination and resiliency.

After a serious bicycle accident in 1998 in which Tom suffered a spinal cord injury with no guarantee of a full recovery, he miraculously defied all odds sufficiently recovering in order to resume the lifestyle he loved: bike touring, tennis, golf, skiing and traveling. In 2000 it was decided that he and Claudia would split their time between Madison, Wisconsin, and the desert climate Tom cherished, a decision they called their “post nuptial agreement” and have continued to live.

Tom is survived by: his wife Claudia Grams (Pogreba); his two children Linda Leilani Pogreba (Byron Brown) Ann Arbor Michigan, Edward Allan Pogreba (Dawn), Vienna, Virginia; two grandchildren: Thomas Nicholas Pogreba, Abigail Rose Pogreba; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his 2 sisters Betty Rose Hahn (Maurie Hahn), Carol Anderson (Marshall Anderson).

Tom embraced life with humility, humor, quiet strength a deeply spiritual person. The last words of advice he shared with his family were; “Be humble and be strong”. His memory lives in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers and gifts we ask all that new Tom to share a memory and a picture.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held in July 2025 in Madison, WI.