IN MEMORIAM: Thomas Vanderslice ’54
The Rev. Thomas Arthur Vanderslice, Class of 1954, died on April 24, 2022, of natural causes in North Hampton, NH at the age of 93.
Vanderslice was born on June 18, 1928, to Thomas Henry and Marie (Lundberg) Vanderslice in Chicago, Illinois. Following graduation from Steinmetz High School, he went on to study English at Ripon College before receiving his Master of Divinity from General.
While attending seminary in New York City, Vanderslice met Marion McMurray. Their courtship lasted a few years, and they were joined in Holy Matrimony on February 23, 1957. They were blessed with two daughters, Anne and Lynne. Throughout their life together, Thomas and Marion shared their home with much-loved dogs.
Vanderslice dedicated his post-graduate career to the Episcopal Church, serving parishes within the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago including St. Martin’s in Chicago, St. Anne’s in Woodstock, St. Mark’s in Geneva, and St. John’s in Flossmoor. His work in the Episcopal Church continued following his retirement from full-time parish work. Thomas and Marion retired to the beautiful Seacoast of New Hampshire, settling in Stratham. In his retirement years, Vanderslice served as interim rector for parishes along the Seacoast. He also enjoyed performing weddings during the summer months at the historic St. Peter’s by the Sea in Cape Neddick, ME. Throughout their years together, the Vanderslice’s enjoyed traveling. He was a long-time member of Lake Mansfield Trout Club and they enjoyed annual visits to this beautiful niche nestled in the Nebraska Valley of Stowe, VT.
Vanderslice was passionate about the arts. He and Marion enjoyed live theater whether in New York City or the charming Ogunquit Summer Theater in Ogunquit, ME. He loved literature, movies, gardening, and everything related to Italy. He was a life-long learner demonstrated by his pursuit of learning and mastering the Italian language beginning at age 62.
Vanderslice was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Marie Vanderslice and is survived by his wife, Marion, his children, Anne V. Nettleton (J. Christopher), North Hampton, NH, Lynne V. Chavez (Edward), Wheaton, IL, four grandchildren including Ian Christopher Nettleton, New York, NY, Thomas Menzie Gibbs (Michelle), Bolingbrook, IL, Victoria Anne Ryan (Matthew), Portland, ME, and John David “Jack” Gibbs, Downers Grove, IL, his brother, Robert Vanderslice, Stoughton, WI, and his sister Claire Vanderslice, Grafton, WI.
Services were held at Christ’s Church, Exeter, New Hampshire on Saturday, May 14, 2022. In place of flowers, the family requests donations to New Hampshire Food Bank (nhfoodbank.org) and Dog Is My Copilot (Dogcopilot.org).