Thomas Daniel Scheidt

SCHEIDT, Thomas D., age 63, formerly of Oakwood, passed away Monday, September 5, 2011. He graduated from Oakwood High School in 1965 and received a BA in History from the University of Dayton in 1970. He was a member of the Oakwood Football team (lettered), Band, and Debate Team. Tom worked at Hauer Music and KayWalt (his parent's Machine shop) in the 1960's and 1970's, performed in many bands (listed below), founded Fannigan's Isle with partner Rick Fannin approximately 30 years ago, and formed Time Machine Productions, Inc. in 1992 with his wife, Pamela. Tom was in the choir at St. Paul's Church, learned bagpipes with Dick Hirsh, trained in fencing with Vladimir Calarese, received a scholarship to the Dayton Ballet, played in many bagpipe bands, and was a member of the Dayton Opera Funatics. His love of physical fitness began at an early age, and he studied martial arts with Carmen Anastasio, practiced Yoga, and often bicycled the Miami Valley bike trails. Hiking with his wife through Grant Park was one of his favorite past-times. He collected toy soldiers, classic comic books, and loved history and animals, especially his cat Pippin. Tom was a professional musician who began his career at the age of thirteen. Humor and entertaining were of the utmost importance to this eclectic performer and he combined them perfectly. He was a teacher, storyteller, historian, voice over artist for the History Channel, former rock critic for the Journal Herald and bagpiper for Windjammer Sailing Ships and for hundreds of weddings and funerals. He recently auditioned for the part of Bear Man in "True Grit". Although he did not get the gig, he had a great time being filmed by Cameron Kinsey. Tom was one of the first in the Dayton area to perform Irish music. His well-loved Fannigan's Isle played venues such as the Toledo Sympathy and WTUE's yearly celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and of course, local pubs and festivals around the country. Fannigan's Isle produced two albums "The Orange and the Green" and "Rambles of Spring". Tom loved every moment of his time on stage. He entertained tens of thousands of people during thousands of shows. One of his greatest joys was playing at retirement homes and bringing his exuberance and joy to the residents. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. Neighbor and friend Patty Bradley called Tom "a human antidepressant". He had an amazing amount of energy. His bands during the years include The Sixth Sympathy, The Dutch Masters, Dr. Buckwheat's Animal Farm, The Stumps, The Davidson's, Miami Jade, Norman Dee and the Beach Heads, Tommy and the Moon Dogs, Chazz, and Fannigan's Isle. He created the character Thomas MacGregor, the Scottish Pirate, in 1991. The show brought the true history of a bagpiping pirate to children of all ages incorporating music and storytelling. After Thomas MacGregor, Tom developed many other programs including Tall Tales and Albert Einstein, performing these at schools, libraries and festivals in Ohio and around the country. In recent years, Chazz allowed Tom to branch into musical genres such as country, blues, reggae, rock and jazz. He performed with Kimberly Baerman and Jim Browning. Students Whitney Soares and Ben Williamson sometimes joined this lively and eclectic band. Besides his phenomenal creative side and many talents, Tom was also intellectual and kind-hearted. He read constantly, never missed Jeopardy, and loved to talk and laugh. He loved to visit the Washington-Centerville Library, Caribou Coffee, Dorothy Lane Market, and Trader Joe's. He often performed at those locations playing his bagpipes, telling stories, or playing music. He developed many friendships during his daily visits. Tom played French horn, classical guitar, classical piano, acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, Scottish bagpipes, pennywhistle, mandolin, cittern, bodhran, keyboard, and the bongos. Tom practiced constantly and never stopped learning new music. Preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Catherine Scheidt and grandparents, Eva and George Cristia. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Pamela Oetjens Scheidt; brother, Walter 'Skin' (Aleta) Scheidt; niece Lisa Scheidt, nephew Greg Scheidt; great-nephew Garrett Scheidt. Tom considered Pam's family his own and her family includes John and Rebecca Oetjens, Tom and Sheila Oetjens, Jennifer Graham, William and Vanessa Oetjens, Beth and Scott Hartshorn, Matthew Oetjens, Alex Oetjens, Joe Oetjens, and Mae Oetjens. He is also survived by bandmates Rick Fannin and Peter Bradstreet of Fannigan's Isle; and Kimberly Baerman and Jim Browning of Chazz, and childhood friend, Bruce Stamper. Tom had numerous friends from Dayton and across the country. Tom recently learned "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and hoped to spread the message from the song that "every little thing is going to be all-right and to be happy" and instill joy and hope in people's hearts. A memorial service will be held at 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 13 at the Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Avenue, Dayton OH 45410 with Rev. LaMont officiating. Visitation to follow also at the Pub. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions in Tom's name to the Washington-Centerville Library, Bookkeeping, 111 W. Spring Valley Pike, Centerville, OH 45458. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429