Thomas Bieber Davis
September 9, 1942 - May 10, 2021
* UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION AS OF MAY 26, 2021 *
Thomas Bieber Davis, age 78, of Newark, DE, died Monday, May 10, 2021, at home with his family around him.
Born in the Holly Oak neighborhood of Wilmington, on September 9, 1942, Tom moved with his parents, Tom and Verna Davis, to Hillandale Farm on Polly Drummond Hill Road in 1944. Graduating from Newark High School in 1960, he attended the University of Delaware and became a mechanical engineer, working at the Budd Company, Penguin Industries, Stauffer Chemical, and Air Products and Chemicals, before starting his own business, Maintenance Troubleshooting, in 1978. A respected consulting engineer with many years of field experience, Tom took great pleasure in traveling around the country troubleshooting his clients’ engineering challenges. He also wrote three mechanical trade manuals for Wiley Publishing Company, Inc.
Tom collected antique clocks, Erector sets, and amassed a huge collection of early boys’ series books. In 1997, he co-authored A Collector’s Guide to Hardcover Boys’ Series Books. He enjoyed snowbirding to Citrus Park (Bonita Terra) in Bonita Springs, FL, and was known for helping residents maintain their golf carts. Tom worked tirelessly for the Newark High School Class of 1960; he helped them stay connected and gathered for reunions. He will be remembered for throwing fabulous Fourth of July celebrations, solving mechanical problems, and teaching and helping others. Tom worked happily until he died.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Unger Davis, of Newark; brother, Robert Davis of Newark; son, Thomas Davis of Austin, TX; daughter, Stephanie (Chris) Hankey of Anacortes, WA; step-son, Derek (Tamara) Donatelli of West Chester, PA; niece, R. Benke Davis of Edgewater, NJ; and grandchildren, Angelina, Eli, Rachel, and Lucas.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 11:30 am on Monday, September 13, 2021, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance not immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine per the CDC and Governor of Delaware. Interment will be held privately in Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery in Newark, DE.
Memorial donations are encouraged to SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention, 1312 Bay Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Silja Shjarback
Lovely tribute. We are sorry for your loss. He left you too soon.
Corey Schlosser-Hall
I didn’t know Thomas directly but I know and admire his daughter Stephanie and her family! And I’m grateful for him helping to raise such an amazing daughter! And we shared the same birthday. So that’s also fab.
Dick Hastings
He never met a man he couldn’t help. We’ll miss you greatly, Tom. Hayseed.
David Gray
A wonderful friend & neighbor for 73 years. Unique! Unforgettable! Talented. A natural born teacher, engineer, entrepreneur.
Margaret Slack
Rest in peace Dear Tom as you enter a new phase of your being. You will be remembered as a kind, generous, and creative person who managed to bring humor to all those that surrounded you. Your long-time friend, Pegi
Gerrie & Ross Dryden
Sharon & family.
Please accept our sincere condolences on Tom’s passing. Seven of our best winters in Citrus Park/BT were spent living next door to you & Tom. He would do anything he could to help out someone needing assistance. He will be sorely missed.
Ross & Gerrie
Beverely Foltz Kennedy
God Bless my friend and fellow classmate NHS ’60!
Marjorie Correll Sample
We shared home room for many years at NHS. The class of 1960 will miss all your help and support. Thank you for all you did to make our reunions so successful. Rest in peace Tom.
Donna L Lilly
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing he did so much for our reunions and the class of 1960 and his joy in his family and work was always an interesting and fun thing to read in his emails to the class. He will be surely missed by us all. Prayers for you Sharen and the family. Donna Lindeman Lilly
Joel Eggleston III
Sharon & Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on Tom’s passing. I only knew Tom in high school NHS’60. He was a great friend. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. Joel
Nick DeLucchi
To the Davis family – I am sorry for your loss. Tom was a great man, who will won’t be forgotten for all the great insight he brought to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. He was a great teacher and mentor for the facilities team. He will be missed!!!
Kimberlee Thompson
Although I never met Mr. Davis in person, I had the pleasure of speaking to him on many occasions as his place of business is located in the Industrial Park owned by the company that I work for. I will always remember our many conversations over the years. He always was so very kind. I will truly miss our conversations. Condolences to his family – the world has lost one very kind soul.
Lee and Mike Temares
Such sad news. Those early series book times were wonderful. May he rest in peace.
Sally Krapf
Nick & I are sad that Tom has left this earth. He was an endless source of entertainment through parties at the house & in general. He had a wonderful sense of humor that we both enjoyed. We will miss Tom—so glad Sharon & he met. Condolences and prayers to all, Sally & Nick
Ellen Strober
Due to the pandemic, I had to hear of Tom’s passing from a mutual friend, Maxine LaPlace, from New Mexico. Tom was always a natural leader, intelligent, funny, energetic, happily involved in a dozen things simultaneously. He always shared his home with a wide group of friends, all of whom will miss him greatly. I will raise a glass in his memory this July 4th, recalling his legendary July 4th parties. Rest well, my friend.
Kristin Wirth Stonesifer
Sending my deepest condolences. I enjoyed keeping in touch with Tom in recent years. We always had wonderful, interesting conversations. I hope everyone’s memories of him will provide comfort and peace. He was an amazing man!
Aline Dennis
Tom will be forever in our hearts ♥️
Ronald & Rose Libby
Tom was a wonderful friend and counselor and will be missed by many. I know his writings for the residents of Citrus Park (Bonita Terra) are hanging on many walls and will be used for many years down the road.
R.I.P my friend
Jill Rasmussen Karatinos MD
This was my high school boyfriend when I was 15 and he was 16 for a year. He took me to his junior prom and we had a wonderful time. I feel diminished by his loss though I have not talked to him for about 5 years. Jill Rasmussen Karatinos MD
Ronnie & Sharon Jones
Dear Sharon & Family,
Tom will be remembered for a long time as a friend who would do anything & everything to help you! He was truly amazing in so so many ways! It was always fun to disagree with him too!
We are so sorry that you have lost Tom!
Prayers, hugs & love,
Ronnie & Sharon