Thomas Eugene Bischof, 69, of Bloomfield, Missouri passed away June 4th, 2020 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Tom was born to Charles and Cecilia Bischof on November 3rd, 1950 in St Louis, Missouri. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1969, received a BA degree from University Missouri at Columbia in 1972, a BS degree from Saint Louis University in 1974, and a JD degree from University of Missouri – Kansas City.
He married Elizabeth Welborn in 1983 and they lived with their family in Aquilla, Missouri from 1983 to 1999. The family moved to Bloomfield in 1999.
He leaves as his legacy two daughters: Robin Elizabeth Bischof of St Louis, Missouri and Megan Briney Bischof of Greenville, South Carolina. He also leaves to cherish his memory five siblings: William Bischof of St Louis MO, Edward (Monica) Bischof of Morro Bay, CA, Karen (Carl) Daffron of Vandalia MO, Steve (Marian) Bischof of Madison MS, and Christine (Dave) Hester of Marblehead MA. He will be missed by two brothers-in-law: Briney (Sue) Welborn of Bloomfield, MO and Kip Welborn (Quinn Grimes) of St. Louis, MO. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and their families; Ryan (Heather) Daffron, Sarah (Jerad) Robinson, Jonathan (Ashley) Bischof, Anne Marie Bischof, Winston Bischof, Emily Bischof, Samuel (Taniya) Hester, Charles Hester, Frank Hester, and Natalie Welborn. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Cecilia Bischof. He will always be remembered for the deep love and dedication he had for his entire family. He was known for his passion for fishing, gardening, and the environment. At his farm in Aquilla he planted over 500 dogwood, pine, and walnut trees.
Tom was a lawyer and a financial planner until he retired in 2018. In the 1970s, he worked as an attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1982, he joined the Powell Ringer Law Firm of Dexter, Missouri. In the late 1990s he started working as a financial advisor with Bagby Wealth Management and continued there until his retirement.
He was passionate in his belief that individuals could have a positive impact on important issues such as climate change and social justice. He demonstrated this belief through his work with environmental organizations, the Democratic Party, the Rotary Club, the Regional Healthcare Foundation, and his time as a Bloomfield City Councilman.
Services will be held at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Monday, June 8th, 2020. Visitation will run from 10am to 12pm followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12pm. There will be reception immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, the Stoddard County Democratic Club, or the Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Mother-to-Mother program.
