Thomas E. Platek

Thomas E. Platek, 81, died on January 19, 2025 in Frederick, Maryland.

Born in Buffalo, NY on October 15, 1943 to Edward and Phyllis (Jurkiewicz) Platek, Tom graduated from Maryvale High School in Cheektowaga, NY. He then earned a BS from the University at Buffalo, and a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Tennessee. In 1967 he met the love of his life, Nancy Frey. They married in 1970 and remained together until his death. Tom and Nancy raised three children together, all of whom gave Tom great joy, and who later gave him grandchildren who gave him even more.

His career as a pharmacist spanned over 40 years, a majority which were spent teaching at the Albany College of Pharmacy, where he loved teaching and mentoring young future pharmacists. Tom taught there full-time for 13 years and chaired the college’s Department of Clinical Science and Practice from 1983 to 1986. He continued teaching as an adjunct for several years after leaving his full-time professorship for a career in research and development. After he stopped teaching altogether, he continued visiting pharmacy schools frequently to speak with students about careers in the field. He spoke from great experience, having worked in the public health service, hospital pharmacy, research and development, and academia.

He was credited with over a half-dozen scholarly publications and gave generously of his time to numerous professional and civic organizations. Among the highlights of Tom’s career was his work on the 1980 Winter Olympics as a member of the Pharmacy Advisory Council, and an on-site Pharmacist. 

Tom and Nancy lived for most of the 1970’s and 80’s in Guilderland, NY, followed by brief stays in Norwich, NY and Seattle, WA, before returning to the east in the early 90’s and settling in Frederick, MD. Over the past 20 years, they kept the family cottage on New York’s Keuka Lake, where family and friends still gather often.

Tom is survived by his wife Nancy, and his children Michael Gordon of Brunswick, NY; Michele (Adam) Spence of Norwich, NY; and Marianne (Eric) Fromm of Baltimore, MD. Tom is also survived by his brother, Michael (Catherine Schunk) Platek of Guilderland, NY, and grandchildren Kyle Gordon (Brunswick, NY), Emily, Leah, and Tommy Spence (Norwich, NY), and Leo and Edie Fromm (Baltimore, MD), and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Virginia, and by his daughter-in-law Kristina Gordon.

He will live in his family’s hearts forever.

The family would like to express its thanks to Silverado Frederick Memory Care Community for their help in caring for Tom over the past seven months.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 31, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 11:00 AM at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Rd, Ijamsville, MD 21754. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Research 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg MD 20871