Thomas Ivan Eisiminger

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas I. Eisiminger, Sr. (U.S. Army – retired), 77, passed away Wednesday July 11, 2013 after battling the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.Colonel Eisiminger was born in Missoula, Montana to Thomas Walter and Genevieve Rose Green Eisiminger. He moved with his family to Seattle in 1940 and completed his primary education at St. James Cathedral School and O’Dea High School, a Catholic boys’ high school located on Seattle’s First Hill.He graduated from Seattle University with an Electrical Engineering Degree.While at Seattle University he participated in ROTC as a Cadet Company Commander.He was simultaneously enlisted in the Washington National Guard and achieved the rank of Corporal. He was commissioned in the United States Army in 1959 and served for 20-years.Colonel Eisiminger was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) bomb technician and supervisor.He served tours overseas in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany as well as serving in numerous stateside duty stations. After retirement from the Army, he began his second career as a civil servant with the Department of the Navy as a Safety Engineer.In this position, he once again traveled the world inspecting naval facilities.He retired a second time in 1997 and spent his time with his wife of 50 years and their beloved dachshunds.He enjoyed action movies and reading James Bond books.He was active in the DC Chapter of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators where he served as chapter President.He was also involved with the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Knights of Columbus. He set a personal example for his children and grandchildren teaching them about work ethic, compassion and dedication to family.His love of family, God, and country were his foundation. He is survived by his children Lieutenant Colonel Thomas I. Eisiminger, Jr. (USA – retired) and his wife Becky of Scottsdale, Arizona, Kenneth Eisiminger of Florence, South Carolina, Robert Eisiminger of Annapolis, Maryland and, Lynne Anne Eisiminger of Dallas, Texas.Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren, Genevieve Katherine Eisiminger of Portland, Oregon and Cadet Thomas I. Eisiminger III of West Point, NY.He is also survived by his brother, William F. Eisiminger of Seattle, Washington.He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Deanna Sue Warren Eisiminger and his sister, Marilyn Therese Eisiminger. His ashes will be interred at a later date in Arlington National cemetery.In honor of his love for dogs and country; in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hero Dogs, P.O. Box 64, Brookville, MD. 20833-0064, http://www.hero-dogs.org/.Hero Dogs is a Maryland based non-profit whose purpose is to train and place service dogs with military veterans who have been injured while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.