On Sunday, November 1st, 2020, Thomas Ralph Milberger, 75, loving husband, father, and grandfather, CWO3 US Army Retired, project manager, task-master, cooking enthusiast, and dry wit, passed away in his home in Zionsville, IN. He is free of the torture from Lewy Body Dementia.
Thomas ("Tom" to friends) was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Ralph Franklin and Dorothy Elizabeth (Schmidt) Milberger. After growing up in Virginia and Florida, Tom joined the US Army, where he served proudly for over twenty years before retiring as a highly decorated Chief Warrant Officer 3. As a civilian, Tom’s achievements continued, bringing his project management talents to telecom and technology companies including EDS, GTE, Nortel, and T-Mobile, delivering advanced innovations easily taken for granted today such as data-connected school systems, serialized mobile devices, enhanced 911 connectivity, and expanded service for cell phones.
For all his professional accolades, Tom’s true passion was caring for his family. As a dedicated craftsman, his home improvement projects, creative home cooked meals, and weekend activities with and for his family filled his waking hours. He was quick to share a story or a joke (and often a snack) to welcome anyone visiting his home. He loved going to the movies, reading about history, collecting his N scale trains, and solving problems. In his final years, he was visited weekly by Dave Rusie, friend and volunteer with BCSS. Together, they fulfilled Tom’s dream to build that scenic railroad kit for those collected trains. And then enjoyed running the different trains during his final months!
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Christel Armatha (Milberger) Newman. He is survived by wife of 40 years, Mary Ann (Mulholland) Milberger, son Mathew Thomas Milberger (Jasmine)and their daughter Ava Rose, daughter Amy Elizabeth Goldstone (Adam), son George Franklin Milberger (Danielle), brother Allan Lester Milberger (Donna), and sister Justine Artis (Milberger) Saxon(Ken).
The family wishes to honor and thank the care he received from his superb neurologist Jared R. Brosch, MD and his hands on care from his hospice nurse Diana Parker, RN, his wonderful hospice aide DeRico Young, CNA, and his caregiver Julie Heeg.
In light of COVID-19 concerns, the celebration of life will be held next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org), 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.