Thomas Joseph Atchison, PHD.

April 27, 1932 - December 5, 2020

SAN DIEGO —

It is with great sadness that we announce that Dr. Thomas Joseph Atchison died on December 5, 2020. At 88, Tom had been in good health before a fall at the end of October, leading to a series of cascading health problems, including contracting Covid-19. He passed away peacefully under hospice care while at his son’s house.

Tom was born as Thomas J. Clarken, III on April 27, 1932, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. His parents were Thomas J. Clarken, Jr. and Margaret Moran. His family moved from New Jersey to southern California in 1938. After his biological parents divorced in 1940, Tom’s mother married Paul Atchison in 1943. Tom and his younger sister Kim were formally adopted by Paul Atchison.

An on-going challenge throughout Tom’s life was his handicap of being born with deformed arms. As a young boy, his mother always challenged him to not accept that as a disability, instead focusing on what he could accomplish.

She lovingly insisted he figure out how to accomplish tasks most people take for granted (such as tying his shoes), thereby instilling lifelong independence and determination. Tom’s perpetual goal was to lead a regular life and to be able to physically do what others could do, including athletics. He was a master at marbles in elementary school and played on both his high school and college tennis teams. For those of us who were around Tom through his life, his handicap was rarely noticeable except for the occasional assistance with his tie or reaching something on an upper shelf.

Tom grew up in the Pasadena area where he attended high school and community college, focusing on his passions of tennis and drive-in movies. Pursuit of higher education was another way for Tom to overcome the stigma of his handicap. He attended Stanford University where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology. Tom went on to earn an MBA from UCLA and a PHD in Business Administration from the University of Washington.

While at Stanford, Tom met his first wife Elizabeth Pierce (Betty), on a blind date, and they married soon after graduation. Early in Tom’s career they moved often, finally settling in San Diego to raise their four children Michael, Marie, Steven, and Patrick. Their marriage of 41 years included love, respect and friendship, protection at times, and more often support and encouragement for each other.

Tom joined the San Diego State University faculty in 1965 as a professor of Management in the Business Department where he taught courses in Human Resource Management, Organization Behavior, and Compensation Management. He retired after 27 years as a professor emeritus. He was a dedicated educator and his students often said he was one of their most influential

professors. He treated all students with patience, understanding, and high expectations.

Betty passed away soon after Tom’s retirement. At her memorial, Tom said “Betty gave what, to me, was a great gift--that of being normal. Like most young people I wondered whether I would have a ‘good life.’ To me, as a person with a handicap, that was one in which I would have a family like other people. Betty chose to cast her lot with me and gave me that gift. To love another person as deeply as I have loved Betty and to have that love returned has gone far beyond my dreams. I feel truly lucky to have had the long time we had together. I am left with a large close-knit family to provide me with comfort.”

Tom was an active member of the United Church of Christ in La Mesa and the church’s social community. He had many life-long friends through the church, including his second wife, Fran Atchison (formerly Provence). Tom and Fran had known each other for many years and found they had much in common. Their relationship blossomed and they were married in 2000. Tom and Fran moved into Fredericka Manor in Chula Vista in 2012, where they were actively involved in the Fredericka Manor community.

Traveling was always an important part of Tom’s life and included camping with the kids in the US and Europe, an extended academic exchange in Albania, and post-retirement travels in Asia, Australia, and Africa. He appreciated the diversity of the world and brought back stories from each adventure. He and Fran enjoyed taking each of their four youngest grandchildren on a special trip of their choice.

Fran’s unexpected passing in December 2019 left Tom with another void, and the Fredericka Manor community provided him great support. He was determined to push on and was in better spirits as 2020 progressed. He had a new girlfriend, Lynne, who shared his ideals on politics, religion, and life. Lynne brought joy to Tom’s life and was a tremendous source of comfort and inspiration while he struggled with injuries from his fall and the challenges of hospitalization during Covid.

Tom was predeceased by his first wife Betty Atchison (1995), and his second wife Frances Provence Atchison (2019). He is survived by his younger sister Kim Rafalovich, four children (Michael Atchison, Marie Edwards, Steve Atchison, and Patrick Atchison), two stepsons (Michael and John Provence), 15 grandchildren, and 12 1/2 great-grandchildren.

An online memorial is being planned for January 3, 2021, at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in honor of Tom, to one of the organizations he supported. Tom had long been a benefactor of the San Diego zoo. Gifts in his memory, which will be directed towards the Children’s Zoo, can be made here: https://sandiegozoo.org/ childrenszoo/ or by calling 619-557-3947.

Tom was also keenly aware of the need for a stronger safety net within our community and disappointed that our political environment has left so many in need. His family also encourages contributions to the San Diego Food Bank in his name https:// sandiegofoodbank.org/.

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