Thomas Lee Bland, 70, of Batesville, Indiana, passed on Wednesday, February 27th, from complications of lung cancer.
Tom was born on December 28, 1954 to Paul and Ruth Bland (nee Selke) in Batesville, Indiana, the third of four children. In high school he wrestled, worked at the truck stop, and repaired and sold classic cars such as Porsche, Maserati, Austin-Healey, and his favorite, Datsun Z cars. He graduated from Batesville High School in 1973.
He married Mary Jo Bland (nee Brelage) on October 1, 1977. He sold most of his beloved car collection to pay for their first house. In 1981, Tom opened a new pump and compressor sales distributorship in Fort Wayne, Indiana for what would eventually become OTC Industries. Tom managed the Fort Wayne branch for almost four decades until retirement in 2020. Highly respected in the industrial pump business, Tom fabricated pumping systems for large manufacturers that included steel mills, foundries, major water and sewage treatment plants, hospitals, universities and other numerous industries across Northern Indiana.
His son Eric was born in 1982, and his daughter Jennifer was born in 1984. While his clients paused production over holidays, Tom and his family skiied, first in Michigan and later in and around Park City, Utah. Tom spent much of his free time in nature. He hiked with his son Eric along the Aboite River that ran through his property, and later in various national parks when visiting his daughter Jen. He and Mary Jo paddled their red and yellow kayaks around Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin; later those kayaks could be seen filled with children and grandchildren on Bischoff Reservoir. These trips usually coincided with visits to local breweries, and were celebrated with good beer from all over the country, which he shared freely with family and friends.
After his retirement in 2020, Tom returned to Batesville but traveled frequently to see his children and grandchildren in Arby, his recreation vehicle. After exhausting his grandchildren in play, Tom tidied garages, mowed lawns, fixed cars, cooked meals, and did anything he could to help his children and their families. His spins on the pickleball court were challenging. His orange Datsun 240Z was envied. The Beagle Bar, his handmade table bar named and run by his grandchildren, was admired. He was kind to those in need, calm and confident in a crisis, funny to the thoughtful, and above all a loving and devoted father, grandfather, and husband.
Tom is survived by his wife, Mary Jo (Batesville, IN); his children Eric (Maria) Bland (Bedford, MA); Jennifer (Alan) Maszarose (Chesterbrook, Pa); four grandchildren, Ryan, Connor, Zack, and Celia; his sister Deborah (Washington); and his brother Jeff (Oregon). Tom was predeceased by his older brother Michael and his parents Paul and Ruth.
A private celebration of Tom’s life will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Tom’s favorite local non-profit, ACRES Land Trust, is requested. For online condolences go to www.weigelfh.com.