Carl Thomas "Tom" Kisker

Carl Thomas (Tom) Kisker peacefully passed away on February 17, 2023. He was born on June 16, 1936 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Carl and Myra Kisker. He did his undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, graduating with a degree in biochemistry in 1958, and went on to attend medical school at the University of Cincinnati.

His brief marriage to Sarah Pilling produced a son, John, born in 1959. In 1962, he graduated from medical school and interned at the Oregon Health Science University Hospital from 1962-1963, where he met Mary Ann Klaudt, a nurse at the same hospital.

Tom and Mary Ann were married in Arlington, VA at Cherrydale Methodist Church in 1963 while Tom served until 1965 in the Public Health Corp during the Korean War as Senior Assistant Surgeon at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.

In 1965, Tom returned to Cincinnati for his residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He continued serving at Cincinnati Children's Hospital until 1972. During these years two children were born to Tom and Mary Ann, Scott Thomas, born in 1967, and Susan Ann, who arrived in 1969.

Tom accepted a position in 1973 as division head of pediatric hematology/oncology and professor at the University of lowa Medical School, moving the family to lowa City. At the University of Iowa, he taught and did research contributing to advances in the treatment of children with blood diseases and cancer, especially the survival rates for children with leukemia.

In 1977, Tom established the lowa Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center (IHTC) at the University of lowa Stead Family Children's Hospital and directed it until his retirement in 2001. The center provided comprehensive healthcare services to patients with bleeding and clotting disorders, and their families. In Iowa, Tom was active in the Boy Scouts of America and at First United Methodist Church. He founded a program at Camp Tanager, so children with hemophilia could have the experience of sleep away summer camp.

In retirement, Tom and Mary Ann moved from lowa to be near grandchildren, who were then in Maryland, dividing their time between Centreville, MD and their Summit County home in Silverthorne, CO. Tom worked as a children's ski instructor for Copper Mountain Ski Resort (the hardest dollar he ever earned) and was active in the Centreville United Methodist, and Dillon Community churches. Tom also helped mentor several youth navigating the journey to adulthood, volunteering for a time as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) in Denver, CO.

Tom is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann (Klaudt); his brother Dale (Linde) Kisker of Seattle, WA; his sons John (Joyce) Manderson of Philadelphia, PA, Scott (Roberta) Kisker of Oakwood, OH, daughter Susan (Ken) Olsen of Parker CO; and grandchildren Maria Kisker, Susanna Kisker, Isaac Kisker, Tabitha Kisker, Naomi Kisker, Travis Olsen, and Tyler Olsen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to established scholarship funds: Dr. C. Thomas an Mary Ann Kisker Scholarship at the University of lowa Foundation, the University of Cincinnati. (https:// foundation.uc.edu/Kisker ), and United Theological Seminary ( give@united.edu designated "Kisker Scholarship")