Thomas "Tom" Robert Sternloff

Thomas "Tom" Robert Sternloff of Raleigh, NC passed away on April 22, 2026 at the age of 75. He was born in Chicago, IL on August 7, 1950. He grew up from age 2-16 in Kenosha, WI until a family move to Raleigh, NC. Moving at age 16 is a hard life change for a teenager. Since he was a competitive swimmer in the Kenosha public schools, he fully expected to join the Raleigh public school swim team. WRONG! No public school pool or swim team in 1966.

After 1970 Sanderson High School graduation, Tom entered the US Naval Reserve. His Basic Training was in Orlando, FL, Boiler Technician School in Great Lakes, IL, and was stationed in Charleston, SC. He had short cruises in the Caribbean and a 6 month cruise to the Mediterranean then up to North Atlantic area. While returning from Copenhagen to Charleston, the destroyer DDG-18 USS Semmes survived sailing through a hurricane, though it caused a cracked hull. He enjoyed sightseeing in all ports-of-call. The love of traveling blossomed.

Upon his honorable discharge, Tom began his college education at Wake Tech and Campbell College before transferring to NC State University. In 1973 after 1 year in college, he and Marie were married (2 weeks after she graduated from NCSU). They met in 1966 at St Philip Lutheran Church.

He graduated from NCSU in 1978 with a BS in Recreation and Park Administration. He successfully completed the Park and Recreation Maintenance Management School held in Wheeling, WV in 1985. This school was conducted by NC State University in affiliation with the National Recreation and Park Association.

Tom worked as a manager for recreation resources in the following municipalities: Belhaven, NC (2 1/2 yrs), Ft Valley, GA (1 yr), Peoria, IL (4 yrs) and Durham, NC (25 yrs). While in Peoria, he often drove the Zamboni on ice rinks and he taught Marie how to ice skate and drive in the snow. Each relocation was considered the start of a new chapter in our life journey.

Tom loved all outdoor activities. He grew up participating in swimming, boating, snow skiing, water skiing, hunting, and ping pong. He considered it a challenge to capture any snake he saw. He told our Raleigh neighbor "all you have to do is yell and i'll come with a shovel and my handmade snake pole". According to Donna, Tom "saved" her from several snakes in the yard over the years. He even tried to sneak up on an alligator on a Florida trip. Marie was having fits watching him while she was safely inside the car.

He absolutely adored spending summers at his Grandparents small cottage on Tichigan Lake near Waterford, WI. What a wonderful place for a young boy to enjoy the outdoors. It was a gathering spot for multiple generations to relax and have fun. This cottage is still owned by the extended family, so the adventures continue.

Tom and Paul Forsberg grew up together in Kenosha and were friends from age 10. They had many adventures that only they know about, although they shared some stories with others. Paul and wife Kim live in California white Tom and Marie live in NC. The distance did not stop these 4 from planning vacations and traveling together to many US states, as well as abroad. Everyone was open to exploring places and having new adventures. Tom's favorite spots were Ouray, CO and Wilderswil, Switzerland. Both have magnificent mountain scenery.

Tom was very family oriented and proud of his Swedish heritage. His Great-Grandparents settled in Republic, MI (in the Upper Peninsula near Marquette) in the 1880's. They moved with 6 children to Chicago in 1902 for a better life than what mining could provide. While visiting his Grandmother Sternloff and 4 Great Aunts in Chicago, the meal blessing "I Jesu navn går vi til bords...." was prayed in Swedish. Everyone at the table participated. Christmas holiday meals consisted of handmade Swedish potato sausage, lingonberries, limpa bread and pickled herring. Tom's favorite holiday song was "l Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" sung with a Swedish accent.

Tom was a dog lover. He doted on our 2 white Chihuahuas Rusty and Dusty. His nickname for each was "Little Boy". They both lived 19 years and provided so much love, attention and fun. We survived 1 year after Rusty's death before adopting Dusty, the 1.5 lb runt of the litter.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Catherine (Kaye) and Robert (Bob) Sternloff.

Tom is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Marie Greene Sternloff. Married for 52 1/2 years, he loved her and expressed his love daily even through the years of Lewy Body Dementia. He is also survived by cousin Charles Abplanalp (Evanston, IL); cousin Susan Abplanalp McDougle (Wauwatosa, Wl) and their descendants: sister-in-law Vivian Greene Maultsby (Wake Forest, NC); nephew Greg Maultsby Jr (Ingrid) (Raleigh, NC); niece Casey Maultsby Houseknecht (Brad) (Kernersville, NG); great niece Olivia Houseknecht; great nephew Dylan Houseknecht; and brother-in-law Edward Greene (Cindy) (Wake Forest, NC).

The family would like to thank the Darin Wheeler family (Darin, Norma, Haydan, Damian, Jordan) Seniors Helping Seniors, and the entire staff of Sunrise of Raleigh for the care and compassion they showed Tom at the end of his life journey. Lewy Body Dementia is a roller coaster ride for all every day.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration or Lite Service on Saturday May 2, 2026 at 1:00 pm at St Philip Lutheran Church, 7304 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615. Visitation and refreshments will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom's honor to St Philip Lutheran Church, the National Park Foundation (nationalparks.org), or a charity of your choice.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Tom, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.