Thomas A. Rich

Thomas ‘Tom’ Arthur Rich entered his Heavenly Father’s glory and His loving embrace on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 6 pm, passing peacefully at his home in O’Fallon, Missouri, at the age of 79. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Tomoko, and three children, Mike, Karina, and Andy, who were blessed to be with him in his final week. Tom was a man of strong faith, commitment to family, dedication to his work and passion for music, with a sense of humor and adventure. His was truly a life well-lived because of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

Tom grew up in University City, MO, with his parents, and older sister and brother. Tom’s compassionate spirit was fostered at a young age when he often protected his older brother, Robby, who endured many physical challenges following a stroke at age 2 that left him partially paralyzed. Robby’s illness and death when Tom was 11, had a lasting impact on his adolescent years and beyond. After starting in community college and with the Vietnam War at its height, Tom decided to enlist in the Air Force in 1966. Following basic training, Tom was stationed north of Tokyo, Japan, at Johnson AFB (Iruma Air Base of JASDF). On his first trip to Tokyo to attend a Christmas party sponsored by an English conversation institute, he met a beautiful, 20-year-old Japanese girl named Tomoko, who later became his wife on August 14,1969. Upon returning to the U.S., Tom completed his tour of duty at Richards-Gebaur AFB in Kansas City, and went back home to U-City. Tom and Tomoko welcomed their firstborn, Michael, in 1971, followed by Karina in 1973, and Andrew in 1979. Tom was a devoted husband and loving father, a shining example of patience, gentleness, kindness, and generosity; always providing for his family while leading a life full of faith and love for God.

Tom had an amazing career at Engineered Fire Protection, Inc. as their lead fire protection system designer. He enjoyed his work and often pointed out all of the St. Louis area buildings that featured his designed systems (“Hey, I sprinkled that one!”), which included Union Station, local hospitals and colleges, the Boeing Plant, the Federal Court Building, and the new Busch Stadium to name a few. Tom earned the highest level of certification from National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) as a Fire Protection Engineering Technologist, and was highly respected throughout the St. Louis area construction community for his extensive knowledge and friendly collaboration. Tom remained loyal to EFP for the entirety of his impressive 45-year career until his retirement in 2016, at the age of 70.

Tom became a committed follower of Christ through the work and witness given by Lay Renewal Ministries. After being introduced to Bible Study Fellowship, Tom began to deeply study the Bible. He felt a calling at Affton Presbyterian Church to teach high school Sunday school and lead the youth group, leaving him with lasting memories of his adventures with the youth. When he moved church homes in the early 90s to join Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Tom served as an elder and enjoyed leading a weekly growth group for many years. He continued to serve God by singing and playing guitar on the worship team. Upon moving to O’Fallon, MO, Tom and Tomoko joined First Baptist Church of O’Fallon, where they were given an opportunity to be baptized.

Tom’s hobbies included music, reading, and traveling. He enjoyed listening to music, singing, and playing his guitar. Tom had an eclectic taste in music which included rock, blues, jazz, blue grass, Irish folk, and contemporary Christian, particularly Michael Card. After retirement, Tom realized his dream of owning a classic Fender Stratocaster which he cherished. When not playing guitar, Tom enjoyed reading books by Clancy, Grisham, and Patterson. In addition to his love of music and reading, Tom enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. Many fond memories that became family lore were formed during yearly summer road trips and camping experiences in Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, New York, Washington, D.C., North Carolina and more. Later on, Tom and Tomoko frequently visited California and Washington to visit their sons, and enjoyed several family trips to Hawaii (Maui). Tom and Tomoko also traveled abroad to Japan, Canada, England, and many European countries, notably his most favorite trip to Switzerland, with Tomoko, her brother and his wife, and son Andy. Fulfilling another life-long dream, Tom and his sons traveled to Ireland, enjoying Celtic music in local pubs, touring the Guinness Brewery, and visiting his ancestral home on the Isle of Man.

Tom bravely battled Lewy Body dementia after being diagnosed in 2019. He was able to remain at home with Tomoko’s care through assistance from the Veteran’s Administration, which provided funding to hire excellent and loving caregivers, most notably Debbie in the beginning years and Beth for over two years towards the end. In the early years following his diagnosis, Tom attended Seniors and Company and made friends, participating in many fun and engaging activities with the most loving and wonderful staff. As his disease progressed, Tom and Tomoko were introduced to the St. Croix Hospice care team, receiving exceptional physical and emotional support and care from the nurses, bath aides, music and massage therapists, and chaplain for 3 years. Tom’s family is deeply grateful for each and every person who took such compassionate care of him and gave Tomoko the emotional support and friendship she needed. Because of God’s faithfulness and His enduring love, Tom maintained his gentle nature, welcomed and enjoyed familiar faces, and stayed sweet, calm, and peaceful to the very end of his life. 

Tom is survived by Tomoko, his devoted wife of 56 years; son Michael Rich (Jessica) of Tarzana, California; daughter Karina Kuder (Douglas) of O’Fallon, Missouri; son Andrew Rich of Redmond, Washington; beloved grandchildren, Lucas, Katie, and Dahlia; sister Polly Giessing (William) of Chandler, Arizona; nephews Bill Bode (Kathy), Jeff (Laura), and Chris; and Tomoko’s brother, Shinichi Adachi, sister Kyoko Mikami (Yoshihisa), and nieces and nephews in Japan. Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Robert, and parents, Milburn Rich and Helen Rich Schultz.

A Memorial Service will be held for Tom at First Baptist Church of O’Fallon, MO, on September 19th 2026, at 10am, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life and lunch at the church. The family invites all who knew Tom to attend the Memorial Service and share their favorite memories during the Celebration of Life. Tom will be interred with Military Honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 10:30 am on September 18th, 2026