Thomas “Tze-Tung” Tang, M.D., Ph.D
Age 100 years, of Brookfield, WI died peacefully of natural causes at his home on May 8th, 2020 with his son and family by his side.
He was born November 11th, 1919 in Beijing, China to the late Shou-Lin and Kuo Tang. From his earliest beginnings, he had an unquenchable thirst for life and all the variety it had to offer. Post World War II he came to the United States on a diplomatic mission from the Republic of China as a major in the Air Force.
When the war ended, he found himself in a new country with only a duffel bag and a couple of books. Thomas was inspired to pursue his dreams with determination and discipline. Thomas received his Ph.D in Biochemistry from George Washington University, Washington D.C. in 1954 and his M.D. in 1958. He immersed himself in the challenges of his career entering the practice of pathology at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. These studies continued and advanced for the next 30 years, and because of his creativity and focus, he became a leader in his field.
He married his blue-eyed beauty, Georgeen Hartman on November 3rd, 1959. Together they raised their son, Thomas Tang DDS in Brookfield, Wisconsin. When she became ill, he dedicated his life to taking care of her long enough to watch their son get married. He cared for her with dignity, grace, and unconditional love. He was by her side when she passed away in 1990.
When his interests wandered, he didn’t merely adopt new hobbies, he cultivated passions. He studied, practiced, reviewed and mastered them. From poetry, photography, swimming, tennis and golfing, his curious mind never stopped working, learning, challenging or questioning. He was a voracious writer and had so many stories and poems to share. For all his accomplishments and legacy, there was much more to him. Thomas was also a teacher and educator. As one looks at the long list of publications of his studies, they demonstrate how he was a three-dimensional doctor and was never satisfied with a life confined to a microscope. He passed these values on those who trained beside him including his son.
Thomas’s family was his main source of joy and pride. He took on one of his most cherished roles as a father and grandfather, to his son and 3 grandchildren. From Sunday lunches, traveling and letters he would write to each of them are memories that will never be forgotten.
Those who were blessed to call Thomas- father, grandpa, husband, brother, uncle and friend will never forget or replace him. He is survived by his son, Thomas Tang DDS and grandchildren Thomas III, Natasha and Josh. He is also survived by brother Tim (Alice) Tang, many nieces, nephews, cousins and his close friend, Shirley Chen.
A memorial service is being planned with family and friends at “Brookfield Melody Farm” which will be announced at a later date.
