20071009 Thomas W Rimrodt dead at 41

Thomas W Rimrodt dead at 41

October 10, 2007

I was sad to read that Tom Rimrodt has passed away at age 41 years young.

I thought I had a few good pictures of Tom and for the life of me, I can’t put my hands on them right now…

I first met Mr. Rimrodt at the GOPAC training on December 9, 2000 in Easton, MD, where I learned the concept of "Flying Upside Down" by Joseph Gaylord and of GOPAC's "Flying Upside Down, How to run a successful low-cost, high-impact campaign.”

This was shortly after Tom had arrived in Maryland and the first of a number of great experiences with him.

And I would run across him at the oddest places – such as on March 16, 2002 when my wife and I attended the Carroll County Democratic Party’s Carroll County Jefferson Jackson dinner.

In spite of the number of great folks in Carroll County – who happen to be Democrats; I think that was the last time I attended the dinner. We’ve had friends invite us back, but I always managed to politely plead busy that evening…

Years ago in Carroll County the different parties would attend each others’ functions – and say, for another example, we would have election night vigils together.

We just did not care about party affiliation.

If it were not for the Baltimore Sun these days, I still would not be aware of the political affiliation of many folks in community leadership.

That august paper will frequently analyze Carroll County public policy and community dynamics in the context of what party whomever belongs. Democrats – good. Republicans – bad.

One great friend, with whom I disagree about everything in national politics – and I always agree upon the level of silliness this dynamic has been carried in recent years.

It was at the March 16, 2002 dinner that my wife and I left at the end of the evening quite impressed as to how we felt quite unwelcome and it made us sad.

Tom remarked about the same thing.

Tom worked for many campaigns - including Congressman Bartlett, and he was always good for a meaningful conversation about political theory and keeping things in a broad context.

If I am not mistaken, it was Tom who reinforced that there are two things you do with power: give it away to a responsible leader and name your successors.

In a number of conversations he would emphasize matters of succession and keeping an eye out for the next generation of up and coming leaders and recognizing younger community leaders with extraordinary talent.

Mr. Rimrodt’s passing at such a young age is a loss and he will be greatly missed.

We will keep his family and friends in our prayers.

Thomas W. Rimrodt

[ Age 41 ] Republican campaign manager

Thomas Wayne Rimrodt, a Republican campaign manager who had been an assistant secretary in the Maryland Department of Planning until early this year, died of brain cancer Sunday at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson. The Parkville resident was 41.

After serving as the city manager of Atherton, Calif., he moved to Maryland in 2000 and managed Republican Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett's re-election campaign. He then began grass-roots organizing work for Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s successful campaign for governor in 2002.

"He lived life to the fullest," said his friend Casi Tomarchio of Forest Hill. "He loved being around people.

"He was very interested in what grass-roots Republicans had to say and made sure the upper levels of the party heard that," said his wife of 17 years, the former Sheryl Hurston.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church, 6950 Dogwood Road, Windsor Mill, where he was a member.

I am scheduled to be out of town this Saturday. Would someone please convey our condolences to the family?

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