Thomas George Friedrich of Menomonee Falls passed away July 31, 2026 following a brief illness. He was 81.

Tom was born in 1944 in Oakland, California, but his family had deep Wisconsin roots and settled in the Milwaukee area when he was a toddler. His maternal grandparents had a cottage on Okauchee Lake, where Tom grew up loving to swim, sail, and tinker with his grandfather in his garage/workshop. Tom swam for Wauwatosa (East) High School, becoming part of a state-champion medley relay team in his senior year. He attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois on a swimming scholarship, but frequently visited his high school sweetheart, Laurie Mierendorf, at UW–Madison. Tom and Laurie were married in 1967, after Tom sold his treasured sailboat to buy her engagement ring.

For 35 years, Tom taught science and math at Bay View High School, where he was also the swim coach. His colleagues and generations of students enjoyed Tom’s friendliness and sense of humor. He was not always the most verbal person, but everyone knew Tom as a loving husband and father who was devoted to his extended family. He was a lover of puns, classic mid-20th-century comedy, and loud ties. He was a meat-and-potatoes guy with a weakness for desserts, especially frozen custard from Gilles’. Later in life he enjoyed traveling to many countries in Europe with Laurie and their friends, and made weekend getaways with Laurie to favorite spots in Door County. Above all he will be remembered as an open, genial, and friendly soul who could (and would) talk with anybody.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Laurie, son Tom (Sarah), and granddaughters Phoebe and Niamh, as well as numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father George, mother Polly (née Paddock), and sister Judith.

The family would especially like to thank newfound friend Juan Corasco and also members of the staff at Lakewood Memory Care and Assisted Living in Brookfield for all their wonderful compassion, care, and support.

Visitation Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 10:00am until Time of Memorial Service at 11:00am at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 8424 W. Center Street, Milwaukee. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to either the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation (https://mpsfdn.org/ways-to-give/) or the Ridges Sanctuary in Door County (https://ridgessanctuary.org/ways-to-give/