Obituary
“Field Botanist, Mentor, Devoted Family Man”
Tom Philbrick passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at his home. He was the beloved husband of Paula K. Busse Philbrick for 39 years.
Tom was born in Exeter, NH, on August 28, 1953, son of the late Herbert J. and Elizabeth (Carmichael) Philbrick. He grew up in Newmarket, NH, with his 4 sisters and one brother. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut and went on to become a distinguished Professor of Biology at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). His research focused on the Riverweeds, plants of river rapids and waterfalls. The group is poorly known, yet critical to the health of river systems. Since the early 1990's he and his students have conducted field studies in streams throughout the Americas, with the most intensive work ranging from central Mexico, south through Central America and South America. A major focus was the rivers of Brazil. Aside from his professional work, Tom enjoyed carving, caning, everything tractor, working in his wood shop, beekeeping, cider making and syruping, and inventing bedtime stories to put his children to sleep). He played soccer until he was 56. His love of international soccer kept him watching the various cup matches, with a strong favorite in Paris Saint-Germain.
Besides his wife Paula, he leaves to cherish his memory; a son Graham R. Philbrick and his wife Jenna Shapiro of Durham, CT, a daughter Elizabeth "Tilly" Ryan and her husband Sean of Alpine, WY, and four grandchildren James K. and Bennett Charles Philbrick, Josephine M. Ryan and Quinn Thomas Ryan. Bolded middle names honor Tom. Tom's sisters from oldest to youngest: Sally Bohan of Pembroke, MA, Candy Bailey of Gonic, NH; Maggie Ramey of Newport, RI, and Bethia Philbrick of South Berwick, ME. Family together with colleagues and friends, have provided the support so very important in helping Tom battle cancer. His brother, Brad Philbrick, of Wyoming, RI, predeceased Tom and he and his wife Barbara provided a model for strength in the face of a different type of cancer. Regional Hospice provided care, concern, and compassion in his last months.
Tom died of a brain tumor on November 21, 2023. Due to the skill of the doctors, nurses and P.A.'s of Smilow Cancer Hospital he lived to see his 70th birthday. He leaves a tissue donation to Yale-New Haven Hospital so that study of his glioblastoma might help improve treatment for this condition in the future. Should anyone be so inclined, he would be honored for donations in his name to be sent to the WCSU Foundation (tagged C. Thomas Philbrick Research Award) where the funds will help further the research of deserving undergraduates at the annual awarding through the Biology Department.
