Thomas H. Talbott

Thomas H. (Tom) Talbott, 70, beloved friend, husband, business leader, civic leader, and philanthropist, died on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, cared for by his beloved wife Linda, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. He was born in Kansas City on March 4, 1940, the son of June Boyce Talbott and William B. Talbott, Jr., who predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by other loved ones. A graduate of Southeast High School in the Kansas City, MO School District, Tom was a lifelong advocate of the importance of public education at all levels--elementary, secondary and higher education, and he helped many young people with scholarships to enable them to take advantage of educational opportunities.

Tom Talbott was a natural leader, someone who mattered whatever the situation, as a student leader, business leader and civic leader. He charmed people from all walks of life--young and old--with his quick wit, droll sense of humor and pragmatic common sense. A Victor Wilson Scholar at the University of Kansas City, and later, at its successor University of Missouri-Kansas City, he was a student leader who was actively involved in the merger of the private and public universities to better serve Kansas City's youth and the community.

He was President of his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, of the College of Arts & Sciences Student Body, of the University's All- Student Government, and of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity. He received his B.A. in Economics in 1962 from the University's College of Arts & Sciences, and his M.B.A. in 1965 from the UMKC Bloch School of Business.

Typifying the range of his personal attributes, he was named by student peers "Most Fascinating Man on Campus" in 1961 and received the Christine Hogan Leadership Award in 1962 for his outstanding contributions to the University. Years later, in recognition of his business career achievements, he received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the UMKC Bloch School of Business in 1985.

He and his wife, Dr. Linda Hood Talbott, met as undergraduates-- both student leaders--on the University campus, and quickly became fast friends, then best friends, then soulmates, and then life partners. Both were honors students and members of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. When they met, Linda was a scholar in English Language and Literature, a campus beauty queen (Tom called her his "brainy beauty"), the first student President of the University Center Board & Program Council, and a charter member of the Chi Omega Fraternity which was established on the campus in 1961.

After their marriage in 1965, they traveled extensively throughout the United States as Tom quickly rose through the ranks of Mobil Oil Corporation, and they also took time to travel around the world. At Mobil, Tom was promoted eight times in as many years with increasing responsibility and distinguished leadership, and became one of Mobil's youngest Division General Managers of Finance, Planning, Systems & Controls in the country while Linda taught English Language & Literature classes at various colleges and universities in Kansas City, New York City, and Boston.

In 1973, Tom and Linda returned to their beloved hometown of Kansas City, MO, as Tom joined The C.J. Patterson Company, initially as Vice President & General Manager of Consumer Products, then Vice President of the Specialty Chemicals Division, then Vice President of Finance & Administration, and finally President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Meanwhile, Linda studied for her doctorate in Higher Education Administration while also serving as a Development Officer, Director of Communications, and Assistant to then Chancellor James C. Olson at UMKC. Her leadership in developing the multi-million dollar public-private funding partnership which created the UMKC Performing Arts Center brought increased luster to the campus Repertory Theatre and Conservatory of Music programs and generated significant community outreach, funding support and national recognition.

In 1975, Linda was tapped by local funders--foundations, companies and banks--to be the Chief Executive Officer of The Clearinghouse for Midcontinent Foundations, a new association of local and regional grantmakers which was then housed on the UMKC campus. During the next 18 years, she pioneered in philanthropic research, trend analysis and communications, helping to build Kansas City's reputation for outstanding grassroots giving. She launched the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, convened many philanthropic issue forums for area nonprofits as well as for grantmakers, and provided the community's first training programs in effective grantmaking and effective grantseeking. With the advent of computerization, Linda created the nation's first community philanthropic information system, based on Kansas City's giving by foundations and businesses as well as local recipient trends among nonprofit organizations in the arts, education, health and social welfare. This major technological advancement was subsequently replicated by other associations of grantmakers in other communities across the U.S. The nation's first urban inner city network of high school-based clinics began in Kansas City in 1982 through the leadership of The Clearinghouse, the local support of its member funders, and the national partnership of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of Princeton, N.J. This national-local funding partnership was nationally recognized by President Reagan and major media, and established a philanthropic partnership paradigm which continues today to benefit Kansas City.

In 1988, Tom negotiated the international sale of The C.J. Patterson Company. He retired as President with the sale of the company, did some independent management consulting, and then joined Linda in 1993 in establishing their own philanthropic management consulting practice, Talbott & Associates, and their leadership development firm, The Center for Philanthropic Leadership.

Tom enjoyed and deeply appreciated the mentorship he received from various Kansas City civic and business leaders--especially Dr. S. Wheadon Bloch, former Dean of Students and Professor of Education, UMKC; Dr. Eugene Wagner, Chairman of the Economics Department, UMKC; Dr. Jack Heysinger, Dean of the Bloch School of Business, UMKC; Marvin Houtchen, General Manager, Mobil Oil Corporation; and Robert M. Patterson and Curtis J. Patterson, Jr. at The C.J. Patterson Company. As Tom was achieving success in business leadership positions, he was also working with youth in Junior Achievement in Kansas City, New York City and in Boston. He was a great champion of his wife Linda's achievements in humanitarian and philanthropic leadership--locally, nationally and internationally. She was recognized by UMKC for her international philanthropic and humanitarian contributions as Alumna of the Year 1989-90--only the second woman to be so honored. Tom often applauded her pioneering work in philanthropic research and communications with The Clearinghouse for Midcontinent Foundations, for launching the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, for advancing opportunities for women and girls at home and abroad, and for developing educational opportunities and funding support for children and youth. He joined Linda in supporting many philanthropic causes.

In his later years, Tom didn't like the hassles of travel but he loved the travelogues, and no matter whether Linda was studying on a post-doctoral fellowship at the Harvard Business School, or doing philanthropic management consulting with a foundation or company or nonprofit organization to build community or strengthen civil society, Tom anchored Talbott & Associates on the homefront, and they talked everyday on the telephone. Whether Linda was lecturing on corporate social responsibility as an American Ambassador at a World Forum at Oxford University in the U.K., or helping to improve maternal and child health care in Moscow, or teaching Chinese women strategies for working with American companies on entrepreneurial ventures in Beijing, Tom and Linda stayed in touch and exchanged ideas daily by telephone or

computer.

While they had no children of their own, they were godparents of several and mentored many youth into adulthood and careers. In keeping with their strong commitment to community service, public education, strengthening educational opportunities for youth, and their devotion to their alma mater, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, they established The Linda H. & Thomas H. Talbott Scholarship & Leadership Award to be given to an outstanding undergraduate student leader in the UMKC College of Arts & Sciences. The Talbott Award is given based on merit to a graduate of a Kansas City area public or private high school who has a superior grade point average and has demonstrated superior leadership in student activities and/or community service.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of forty-six years, Linda Hood Talbott of Kansas City, MO; his sister Susan Talbott Wiedenmann and husband Kirk, of Osage Beach, MO, and their daughters Debra and Karen; aunt Mary Frances (Manie) Luker of Lee's Summit, MO; cousins Joyce Paulsen and husband Dennis, of Norwalk, IA, and their children; Nancie Lahr and husband Bill, of Waterloo, NE; Janet Bothel and husband Jim, of Mesa, AZ, and children; Bill Danielson and wife Sherie, of Omaha, NE, and children; Delores (Dode) Peters, of North Little Rock, AR., and children; Jerry Boyce and wife Marilyn, of Branson, MO, and their children; Judy Fallman and husband Karl, of Wellington, MO, and their children; Donald(Chip) Boyce, of Bates City, MO; Patty Vick and husband Larry, of Kansas City, MO, and their children; Carol Lloyd, of Tucson, AZ, and her children; Patty Chullino and husband Gary, of Lee's Summit, MO, and their children; Kathie Holman and husband Bill, of Overland Park, KS, and their son Bob, his wife Jennifer and their children; Marian Pesky and husband Mike, of Sioux City, IA, and their children; Bonnie Rodenburg of Lynn Haven, FL, and children; and Ann Fyfe and husband Jim, of Panama City, FL.

Tom Talbott will be profoundly missed by all who knew him--especially by his life partner Linda and his play partner, a miniature schnauzer named Dr. Pepper. Tom and Linda appreciated the care and consideration he received from his personal physician, Dr. Peter S. Holt; from the physicians, nurses and staff at St. Luke's Hospital; and the extraordinary comfort and compassion he received from the physicians, nurses and staff at Kansas City Hospice House.

A private burial will be held at Mt. Moriah Cemetery South on December 22, 2010. A Memorial Jazz Concert & Service celebrating the life of Tom Talbott and benefiting children and youth of Kansas City will be held in the spring of 2011.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible charitable contributions may be sent, in memory of Tom Talbott, to: The Talbott Scholarship & Leadership Award Fund, UMKC Advancement, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110; The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, 6301 Rockhill Rd., Suite 305, Kansas City, MO 64131; The Harvesters "BackSnack" Program for Hungry KC Kids, Harvesters, 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129; The Lincoln College Preparatory Academy Band Boosters,for Kansas City Student-Musicians to Tour & Perform in China, c/o LCPA Band Director, 2100 Woodland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108; or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.