Bonnie (Tappan) Weldon wrote to let us know that Tom’s mother had passed away.
Here is his mother’s obituary, offered as a tribute to a wonderful woman:
Evalyn Rink Filer, 89 of Iowa City died Monday, June 29, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Evalyn Mae Rink Filer was born November 22, 1919, in Butler County, PA the daughter of Frank T. and Margaret E. (Hilliard) Rink. Following graduation from high school as Valedictorian, she attended and graduated from Grove City College in Grove City, PA. She married her childhood sweetheart, Lloyd J. “Jack” Filer who happened to be the class Salutatorian in their class, a fact that was never forgotten! After their marriage on May 29, 1942, the couple moved to Rochester, New York where Jack attended medical school, and Evalyn taught French and Latin in schools there. From here the couple and now a family moved to Columbus, OH where Jack was on staff with OSU, and with Ross Laboratories. Upon moving to Iowa City in 1965, Jack accepted a professorship in the College of Medicine; Evalyn began working in the library of Central Junior High, a position she cherished for many years.
Evalyn had many interests and passions. She was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, the University of Iowa Athletic Club, 43 year season ticket holder at Kinnick Stadium, strong supporter of Hancher Auditorium, volunteered many hours at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, enjoyed tennis, in fact she was quite the sports enthusiast, still had her subscription to Sports Illustrated! She was a 47 year breast cancer survivor; something that enabled her to support those fighting this disease. She loved to cook, entertain, and travel with Jack. They lived life together to the fullest.
Her family includes her children, Margaret Taylor and her husband, Dr. Tom Taylor of West Hartford, CT; and Thomas Filer and his wife, Barbara Filer of Des Moines; nine grandchildren, Dr. Thomas Taylor (Sarah), Dr. Emily Taylor, Michael Fox, Dr. Cody Fox, Emily VanZante (Brandyn), Melissa Conlon (Dr. Sean), Matthew Filer (Kristen), Marc Filer (fiancé, Carla), and Jessica Filer; great-grandchildren, Shannan, Megan, Jack, Kevin, and Thomas Conlon, Madelyn, Morgan Filer, Bray-Lynne VanZante, and Graeme Taylor.
She was preceded in death by her husband “Jack”, son, Lloyd Filer III, and brother, Barclay Rink.