 | | | 1936 - 2018 | | | | | | Stuart Thomas Cleveland peacefully passed away on Wednesday, May 9th. Born April 15th, 1936, Tom was raised in Hastings, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan where he earned an MS in Chemical Engineering and a MBA in Finance and Accounting. It was during his time at Michigan that he met his wife Joan Conroy. Their first child, Linda, was born while they were still students and were directors of a men's hall, Fletcher Hall.
After assisting the University of Michigan with their Computer Science Program, Sacramento State University invited Tom to assist professors in creating California's first Computer Science Program. The California Governor at the time, Ronald Reagan, specifically wrote Tom a letter thanking him for being a critical asset in helping to create the new program. Tom wrote detailed IBM instruction manuals and textbooks by typewriter and helped professors draft course material for Engineering students to follow. It was during this time in Davis, California that their second child, Dave, was born.
After completing an engineering degree in Advanced Statistical Modeling from Stanford University, Tom and Joan moved into their Lafayette, California home in the summer of 1970. It was at this time that Tom began his career with the TouchÇ Ross Accounting firm and assisted with opening their first East Bay office in Oakland, California. Tom eventually headed up their regional governmental auditing program and was the National and International banking partner for six years, prior to retiring in 1988.
Tom was invited to be the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States Government. After retiring from Touche Ross, Tom ran a successful consulting company, Capital Management Group, where he worked with multiple international banks and businesses. Tom was very active in the California Society of CPA's eventually becoming President. He made significant contributions to the AICPA with multiple publications, seminars, chaired committees, and contribution award.
Tom helped shape and influence many lives and communities through hard work and perseverance. Tom served as Councilman and Mayor of Lafayette and was voted Citizen of the Year. He founded and Coached the first Girls Club Soccer team in the East Bay. Tom was a member of the John Muir Hospital Foundation Board. He also continued his passion for learning becoming the TransAmerica Professor of Finance at Saint Mary's College.
Tom enjoyed spending time with his family sharing colorful stories and experiences and influencing lives. He enjoyed traveling abroad, playing and watching sports, and contributing to community development projects. As you can tell, Tom led a passionate, committed, and purposeful life.
Tom is survived by his wife Joan, brother Denny, their daughter Linda, their son Dave, and four grandchildren Will, Brenna, Laura, and Ryan. He is predeceased by sister Jan Kerns and son Brian. Church services will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 66 Saint Stephen's Drive, Orinda, California on Saturday, July 7th at noon. And then a celebration of an amazing life will follow at the Lafayette Park Hotel in Lafayette, California at 2 p.m.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA