Thomas C. Pink

Thomas Pink, age 81, passed away on May 28, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice Center, after a six-year battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, who was the love of his life. Tom was born on April 18, 1944, in Fall River, Wisconsin and graduated from high school in 1962. He served in the military for two years, attended the University of La Crosse, graduated in 1969, and attended graduate school at UW-Oshkosh.

Tom was the Director of Columbia County Health and Human Services until his retirement in 2003; previously serving as the Director of Taylor County Human Services. He was highly regarded throughout the state for his work in the human services field, serving on numerous state and legislative committees and organizations.

In his younger years, Tom loved hunting and fishing. He was an avid reader, loved doing crossword puzzles, and having coffee with his morning coffee friends. Tom and Wendy loved traveling including taking annual trips to Mexico, Florida and Alaska, and Wisconsin. Following retirement, he enjoyed watching football and NASCAR, occasional casino trips, daily lottery tickets, and came to appreciate afternoon naps. Tom had a great sense of humor, and he had many stories to tell - sometimes several times! Tom loved dogs and will be missed by his favorite dog, Mollie.

In addition to his wife, Wendy, he is also survived by two sons: Nate Pink (Jill Bowdon) and Todd Pink; stepdaughter Dana Gehrmann (Adam) and stepson Chad Wyman (Erin and daughter Eleanor Hersh). He was the proud grandfather to Elijah Pink, Alissa Cruz-Carino (Miguel), Quintin and Kayla Gehrmann, and James Wyman. He is further survived by his favorite sister-in-law Patti Bryan (Robert), cousins, and many incredible friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Zella (Field) Pink, and in-laws, John and Arlene Townsend.

We will miss him, we will remember him, and we will be forever blessed for having him in our lives.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held next month.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family, who will donate them to various charities according to Tom’s wishes.

Cress Funeral Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-837-9054