Thomas H. Preacher

Thomas H. Preacher, 61, of Bettendorf, died on May 1, 2012 at Clarissa Cook Hospice in Bettendorf, after a 6- year battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM, Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Runge Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Davenport. Thomas H. Preacher was born on November 24, 1950, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Ava (Moore) Preacher and Dr. Charles B Preacher. He lived with his family in Hyattsville, Maryland and Pensacola, Florida before moving to the Iowa Quad Cities in 1956. He graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1968. He graduated from Dartmouth College in June, 1972, Magna Cum Laude, phi beta kappa, with a degree in Philosophy. From 1972 until 1976 he attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy. In 1978 he commenced studies at the University of Iowa School of Law, from which he graduated in August, 1980. He started his legal career as an associate at Newport and Buzzell from 1980 to 1985. He then joined the firm of Alexander and Preacher from 1985 to 1987, which later became Stafne, Lewis, Jasper, Alexander and Preacher, where he worked until 2008, when he was named District Associate Judge for Scott County in August, 2008. He married his beloved wife Teri Lester on October 20, 1984 in Sterling, IL. He joined Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in 1965, and served on the vestry in the 1980s. He was a member of the Ethics Committee of St. Luke’s/Genesis hospital from 1988 to 2008. He was a member of the Contemporary Club from 1988 until his death. Mr. Preacher, an avid reader with over 4000 books in his personal library, was a student of history, art history, and an enthusiastic traveler. He was fortunate to be able to pursue his interests by traveling to various museums, galleries, churches, historic sites and other institutions throughout Russia, the Middle East, and the larger cities of Eastern Europe, varying from Dresden to Prague and the Vatican, and including the Hermitage in St, Petersburg, Russia. He was able to visit various historic sites in America, ranging from Shiloh battlefield to Appomattox Courthouse, to the Gettysburg battlefield, as well as Valley Forge. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Teri Preacher, children Andrew (Arlington, VA) and Charles (Leland, MS); sisters Ava Preacher (Coleen Hoover) of Granger, IN, Mary Ann (David) Beck of Omaha, NE; brother Robert (Joy) Preacher of Olathe, KS; five nieces and nephews; mother in law and father in law Don and Shirley Lester of Tampico, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Tom’s family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Edwin Motto, Dr. David Mercer, and Dr. Erling Larson. Memorials may be made to the Bettendorf Public Library or Clarissa Cook Hospice House.