Dr.Thomas C. Piekenbrock, 90, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 19, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded. Friends may call from 3 to 8pm on Tuesday, March 18th at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, where a parish scripture wake service will be held at 7:30 pm.


Tom was born on February 3, 1924, in Dubuque, son of Ora and "Pike" Piekenbrock. He was raised in Dubuque with his best friends -- his older brother Jack and his younger brother Bob. After the economic impact of the Great Depression caused the closing of his family's long standing shoe company,E.B. Piekenbrock and Sons , the family moved to Milwaukee where he attended Marquette University High School Class of 1941. He went on to graduate from Temple University in 1944. After graduation, he joined the Army where he was called to medical service. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1949. In 1956, after serving as a flight surgeon for three years, he came to Dubuque and proudly joined his Uncle Frank Piekenbrock in practicing psychiatry at Medical Associates.


Dr. Piekenbrock, or as most would come to call him, "Doc" or "TCP", served as a leader in Dubuque's mental health care community for over 60 years. In the early years, Doc worked to bring advancements in mental health treatment to the Dubuque area. He also served as Chief of Staff at Mercy Medical Center for many years. He went on to become a leading force in developing the Gannon Center for Community Mental Health and continued to care for mental health patients until his retirement at the age of 89 from Hillcrest Family Services. His outstanding service was recognized by many accolades throughout the years, but near to his heart was the the American Psychiatric Association 50 year Distinguished Life Member Medallion, only the 105th physician to achieve this award out of more than 34,000 members. He also received the Nancy Hill Award from Hillcrest Family Services in recognition of special services to the organization.


While he certainly proved himself a talented physician, he will be most remembered for the love he showed everyone he encountered along the way. Doc treated his patients, nurses, and colleagues with the same kindness as his closest friends, and the happiness he saw in return inspired him to keep working until age 89. His leadership in the Dubuque mental health community will be missed.


Outside of work, Doc showed complete love and dedication to his friends and family. He was a proud member of his long standing Sunday Morning Golf Association, potluck groups, an annual hunting group, the Dubuque Shooting Society (990 Club), and the Dubuque Golf & Country Club—to name just a few. He loved to golf, play cards, and drink scotch with his friends. He loved to sit by a bonfire with his family. He was the perfect host and could make even a complete stranger feel like the guest of honor in his home. He loved to travel the world and often came home with an assortment of new lifetime friends. Doc lived every day to the fullest, and encouraged everyone around him to do the same. Every day was an occasion for fireworks.


Doc loved music, and there was a distinct soundtrack to his 90 years. At parties, his friend Roger often played the keys while Doc sang with an elbow on the piano. And at family gatherings, any rendition of Happy Birthday was sure to feature Doc quietly singing along with his own improvised harmony. He was a long-time supporter of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, as well as a committed patron to many of the Arts in Dubuque. He was active in supporting his community in many ways, including serving as a former Board of Directors member for the Dubuque Boys and Girls Club.


For over 90 years, he showed all of us the meaning of true character. Doc was infinitely generous, but equally humble. He had a wickedly dry sense of humor coupled with a gentle sincerity. He was always a gentleman with an impeccable sense of style. He lived a long life, but he never lost his youthful optimism. Doc was an unmatchable friend in every way.


In the race of life, Doc won. He worked hard, played hard, loved deeply, laughed loudly and listened patiently. We will miss you - but you have taught us well - and we will carry on until we see you again at the 19th hole.


He is survived by his wife, Pat Piekenbrock; five children, Barbara (Dennis) Schlegel, Dr. Ellen (Dr. Stephen) Hoy and Charles "Chip" (Susan) Piekenbrock, all of Dubuque. Roger Piekenbrock, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Kara (Tim) Teuscher of The Woodlands, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Martha (Tom) and Eric (Molly) Schlegel, Patrick, Kalie, Jack and Natalie Hoy, Audrey and Olivia Piekenbrock, and Ellie and Susie Teuscher.Two great grandchildren; Madie and Morgan Schlegel; children of Pat Piekenbrock, Lenda (Richard) Zelinskas, Michael "Tony" (Kari) Zelinskas, Mark (Donna) Zelinskas, Beth (Mike) Browns, Mary Jo Braverman, Sara (Mark) Welter, Ann (Payson) Peterson, Eric (Sandra) Zelinskas, Amy McIntosh, Ellen Zelinskas, Kathleen (Tom) Eiseland, Andy Zelinskas; Brother and sister-in-law, Ellen (Dr.George) Flood; and by many loving nieces, nephews and those who have been as close as family.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Piekenbrock, his wife Imelda "Doe" Piekenbrock; his parents, his brothers: Jack Piekenbrock, Bob (Jean) Piekenbrock, brothers and sisters in-law: Mary (Redmond) Reilley, Ann (John) Ginder and Tom Cody, Charles (Dorothy) Murphy.


In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be sent to the Mercy Hospital Dr. Thomas Piekenbrock Scholarship Awarding Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing. (250 Mercy Drive) or to Wahlert Catholic High School (2005 Kane Street) in care of Dr. Thomas Piekenbrock Scholarship Fund for graduates pursuing healthcare education.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com

We sincerely thank the kind nursing staff at Mercy Medical Center and the loving nurses of Hospice of Dubuque for their excellent care.
The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road is in charge of the arrangements.