Thomas J. Stahlschmidt, a 38 year resident of Lake Forest, IL, passed due to pulmonary issues on November 24, 2021 at the age of 79. Tom was born in St. Louis, MO on March 13, 1942 to Elda and Bodie Stahlschmidt, growing up in Missouri and Tennessee. Upon graduation from high school, Tom attended the University of Notre Dame from 1960-1964, meeting is wife, Patricia (nee Mullen) in Chicago in 1963. Upon graduation from Notre Dame, with a degree in accounting, Tom accepted a job with Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co. in Chicago. Tom and “Pat” were married in 1965, and their only child, Michael, was born in 1969. Tom would rise through the ranks at Peat Marwick, now known as KPMG, making partner in his seventh year with the firm. Tom would go on to lead the transportation and not-for-profit practices of the firm, as well as being one of the founders of the firm’s forensic accounting practice, and was on the firm’s board of directors later in his career. Tom was most proud of his work merging the Norfolk and Southern railways in 1982, the largest railroad merger in the US at this time, as the auditor in charge of the merger. This work resulted in Tom, Pat and their son Michael moving to McLean, VA for 18 months. Tom appeared on CNN, ABC News and WGN, and famously once debated Geraldo on TV as to taxation within the US, easily winning the debate. Tom only ever worked at Peat Marwick and Mitchell/KPMG, retiring in June of 2000 after 36 years of loyal service. At the time of his retirement, Tom was the most senior member of the firm in the US. Even when formally retired, Tom kept working, serving on several private corporation, university/school and public boards, including for the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation, the City of Lake Forest, the Lake Forest Symphony and at the appointment of then Mayor, Richard M. Daly, for the City of Chicago. Upon his retirement, Tom and Pat split time between their homes in Lake Forest, IL and Crystal Falls, MI, the latter on Light Lake. Tom and Pat bought their Michigan home in1976, enjoying both the summer and winter seasons by golfing, fishing, boating and in the winter, snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing. In his free time, Tom could most often be found at Knollwood Country Club golfing, his favorite sport. Among Tom’s favorite things in life were his dogs, Stormy, Ingo, Keara and Karli, the latter is still living the great life, having recently been adopted by Brad Balonick, also of Lake Forest. Special thanks go out to many friends, for watching after and assisting Tom in his later years. These deservedly include to the entire Linn, Beck, Fisher and Kudwa Families, as well as Natalie Hagstrom, Dru Diesner and the great folks at The Audi Exchange in Highland Park. Tom could not have lived the life he did without all of you. Patricia preceded Tom in death, passing on July 1, 2018. Tom is survived by his son, Michael, and daughter in law, Leslie (nee Benedict), of Mundelein, IL, as well as his brother Ronald, and his wife, Monica, of Scottsdale, AZ. A visitation ceremony will be held from 3:30-7:00pm on Monday, November 29, 2021 at Wenban Funeral Home at 320 Vine Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045. Info: Wenban Funeral Home (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com