Thomas A. Manning

Tom was born on the Southside of Chicago on October 19, 1942, to Bernard John Manning and Mercedes Veronica Manning (nee Morris). He attended St. Rita and St. Adrian elementary schools and graduated in 1960 from Brother Rice High School in Chicago. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a master’s degree and an ABD degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Fluent in Russian, Tom accepted a position with the Strategic Air Force Command following college. He had a 42-year career as a historian with the U.S. Air Force and published a number of books. The Air Force awarded Tom the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for “outstanding service in the performance of duties in an exemplary manner.” Upon his 2010 retirement as the AETC Command Historian, he was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award medal for his “significant accomplishments, leadership, notable competence and major impact on the mission of the Air Force.”

Tom combined his love of history and research with his love of travel and good wine. Generous with his knowledge, he gave presentations on topics such as the history of the wines of ancient Rome. He traveled throughout Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East, always enjoying the local good food and wine.

In his retirement and until his death, Tom was an avid cyclist, biking 175 miles each week across the hills of Texas. At the age of 73, he cycled across Oregon and explored its vineyards.

Tom is survived by his wife, his three children, Sandra Lynn (Jeff) Rothrock, Christopher Morris Manning, and Timothy John (Memori) Manning; his grandchildren, Stephanie DeAnn (William) Orton, Joel Aaron (Gabriella) Rothrock, and Leonidas Bernard Manning; his great granddaughters, Charli Jo Orton, Parker Lynn Orton and Ellie Joy Rothrock; his great grandsons Evan Scott Orton and Ryder Wesley Orton; and his siblings Robert Bernard (Judy) Manning, Ann Roche, Jean Manning (Alan Andreasen), Therese (Gary) Kmetty; and Mary (Robert) Bachler.

Tom was brilliant and accomplished, but above all he was a caring husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who will be greatly missed.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

DECEMBER 9, 2020

12:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The memorial service and interment were recorded and can be accessed via link below.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Thomas A. Manning Memorial Scholarship supporting undergraduate students in need of financial help and majoring in History at the University of Illinois. Donations can be made at giving.Illinois.edu or by calling 217-333-0810.

For those who were unable to attend in person, the service was recorded.