Thomas Aquinas Long

Thomas A., was born May 12, 1937, in Cincinnati. He attended the University of Cincinnati from which he obtained his BA in Philosophy in 1959. He then began graduate work in Philosophy and received his MA from the University of Virginia in 1961. He returned to Cincinnati to earn his Ph.D. in 1965, writing a dissertation on Wittgenstein. He then took a teaching position in UC’s Department of Philosophy and taught there until his retirement in 1999. His interests in Philosophy ranged from Nietzsche to the Philosophy of Mind to bio- and legal ethics. He was also the author of numerous published short stories and at the time of his death was working on more. Tom’s life was marked by the aftermath of an early childhood infection from osteomyelitis. In the absence of sulfa drugs and antibiotics, this infection had caused great damage to his body which he dealt with patiently and resolutely throughout his life, with the help of innumerable medical caregivers. Tom never let his illness hold him back from leading a normal and productive life. Two years ago he published a memoir of his medical difficulties entitled If This Isn’t Cincinnati, It Must Be Mayo. Tom intended this volume to be an encouragement to others who might be confronted with similar challenges. In his retirement, Tom devoted himself to his extensive reading and his writing. In addition, he was a regular contributor to the radio broadcasts of The Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. His listeners profited from his clear presentations of analytical material from The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, The Economist and similar journals, as well as his sophisticated selections from current fiction. Tom leaves behind his wife, Dr. Ann Gelke of Clifton, his stepchildren Sandro Gelke of Las Vegas and Dr. Giuliana Centurion of Cincinnati with her husband Marcelo Centurion and their child Luca, of whom Tom was especially fond. He is also survived by his brother Timothy of Bloomington, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his father, Milton Long, and his mother, Juliana (nee Proepperman) Long. He leaves behind a host of friends who gained benefit from his friendship and example as well as three decades of students who, usually ignorant of his medical difficulties, enjoyed the fruits of his instruction and guidance. Saturday July 16, 2011 age 74. Memorial visitation at the Hodapp Funeral Home. 6041 Hamilton Ave., Tuesday from 5 until service at 7:30. Donations to Children’s Hospital Research Fund.