Thomas Perry Muselman

Tom was born on April 10, 1950 to Benjamin Harrison and Barbara Ann (Jackson) Muselman. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1968 and later earned a Bachelors Degree in Finance from Drake University. He married the love of his life, Rebecca Kae (Appelgate) Muselman on April 4th, 1975. They had 2 sons together, Jeffrey Scott (Irma) and Jason Richard (Kayla).

Tom worked many years in both the real estate and mortgage industries; however, his primary career was centered around the greatest sport on the planet…hockey. He spent nearly 2 decades as the Executive Director of the Greater Des Moines Ice Sports Association growing the youth hockey and figure skating programs; as well as building massive community support for the Des Moines Buccaneers during the pinnacle years of their existence. Anyone who ever went to a BUCS game in the 90s will talk about those infamous, raucous years for eternity. After “retiring”, he worked with his son Jeff at Above & Beyond Outdoor doing landscape and property care work outdoors, where he most loved to be.

Tom’s passions were baseball (as a diehard Yankee), hockey, golf, softball, Hawkeye football tailgates, the Ozarks and especially vacations with his family & friends. His heart and soul quietly overflowed when he expressed his ‘True North’ to the fullest—by enriching, inspiring and improving the lives of others. He coached and refereed hockey before his sons were ever born; then continued that passion with Jeff and Jason through their hockey and baseball years. Tom absolutely loved seeing others learn, develop and succeed, and would spend any amount of time possible teaching them the skills. This was especially emphasized by his passion and devotion to the Special Olympics while with the GDMISA, and through his numerous philanthropic efforts.

Tom served on many boards, including the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Urbandale City Council, and as the President of the American Lung Association. After his double-lung transplant (performed by the amazing team at the UIHC) on June 27th of 2009, his sons took part in the Fight For Air stair climb for the 1st time. Fast-forward 15 years and “Team 27” (lead by Tom) has raised close to $300,000 for the ALA. So many of YOU who have the honor of reading this are the true reason for that success through your participation and support. His passion was even deeper still, as he would travel to speak about his transplant experience and mentor others through the journey.

Tom enriched the lives of every single person who ever had the blessing of getting to know him. He gave everything he had to life and never wasted a minute…especially after his second-chance in getting new lungs. He golfed, played softball again, participated in the ALA stair climb, worked outdoors, but most importantly…he and Becky got to enjoy their 5 grandchildren together (Sadie, Everett, Briella, Bentley and Gia)! Papa was the greatest title he ever earned. ❤️

Thomas Perry Muselman was a loving, caring, outstanding husband, an epic hero of a father, a legendary papa and an inspiration to all. He was a warrior, and is an ambassador of life who embodied his family mantra of “EVERY BREATH IS A GIFT”!

A visitation for Thomas will be held Friday, June 7, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265. A funeral service will occur Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tom's name to the Iowa Donor Network: https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/give/make-a-contribution

If you would like to see a recording of Tom's service, you may view it here with the following link:

https://youtu.be/Wipa9efoMtg?si=q4coQHbc8laajAxB