On August 13, 2022, the Thomas T. Taber Museum suffered the loss of our namesake, a giant in many respects, with the loss of Thomas T. Taber III.
Friend of Tom, Lewis C. Peterman wrote… “The World is a little smaller now without Tom. I cannot think of what it will be like without him. Tom enhanced my love for the Williamsport & North Branch Railroad. The desire to pursue this road continues today. There are memories of Tom at the bank meeting, Rotary, Borough meetings, his house complete with train sets. The impact Tom made on Muncy is immense!
Our time on earth is borrowed; one’s impact is measured if they leave the world a better place. There is NO doubt Tom left the world a better place!
The journey of grief is long and those who walk it should not have to walk alone. Endings are often painful we mourn death, we regret leaving a loved one. We simply do not like to say good-bye. The point is Tom is not here now and learning to live without him is what hurts.
My deepest condolences to the Taber family and you all will be in my daily prayers.”
Born May 22, 1929, Madison, New Jersey, Tom was the son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Gantt) Taber, II. He was educated in New Jersey, earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. He was a veteran of the United States Army during the Korean War and later worked at Sprout Waldron as an Industrial Engineer and then for George Logue in his construction company. Tom married the former Barbara Wilson and they resided in Muncy, before her death on April 7, 2015. For the past several years, Tom Taber resided at Hillside Senior Living Center in Montoursville.
Lycoming County Historical Society past President Bruce Buckle wrote of Tom… “Tom’s passion for local history, and the work he did to record and preserve the lumber and railroad heritage of northcentral PA are unparalleled. His generosity and commitment to the Lycoming County Historical Society enabled the Taber Museum to grow in ways that would not have been possible without his support. Here is a well-known poem Tom once shared with me:
When Day Is Done, by Edgar Albert Guest
When day is done and the night slips down,
And I’ve turned my back on the busy town,
And come once more to the welcome gate
Where the roses nod and the children wait,
I tell myself as I see them smile
That life is good and its tasks worthwhile.
When day is done and I’ve come once more
To my quiet street and the friendly door,
When day is done, all the hurt and strife
And the selfishness and the greed of life,
Are left behind in the busy town;
I’ve ceased to worry about renown
Or gold or fame, and I’m just a dad,
Content to be with his girl and lad.
When day is done and I reach my gate,
I come to a realm where there is no hate,
For here, whatever my worth may be,
Are those who cling to their faith in me;
And with love on guard at my humble door,
I have all that the world has struggled for.
Mr. Taber authored over twenty books, most notably on railroad history and the chronicles of Muncy history. His books are well regarded and are eagerly sought out by historians and enthusiasts wanting to know more about railroads that traversed the eastern seaboard and the lumbering industry.
His commitment was well defined. He saw the need for an expansion of the facility of the Lycoming County Historical Society and presented a check for $1 million dollars. On August 15, 2000, a resolution was adopted renaming the Museum.
Surviving Mr. Taber are his son, Thomas T. Taber IV and his wife Elizabeth Evans, of Chicago and two grandchildren Thomas Taber V and Jessica Sahyouni.