MasterSingers Omaha Remembers Tom Fleckten:
Tom & Beverly Fleckten backstage at "Broadway Now!", April 15th 2018
Tom performing "Piano Man", complete with harmonica at our "Speakeasy Cabaret" on March 11, 2018.
Tom (center, red jacket) during warm ups for Broadway Now! April 15, 2018.
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By Dr. D. Laureen Pickle, MasterSingers Artistic Director, February, 2019
Remembering Tom Fleckten- In 1997 I moved to Omaha, sight unseen, to teach at a university. Being the new kid on the block, I was given the students that others were not interested in, including the “non-traditional” students. Tom Fleckten entered my life then, breezing through the door a retired Air Force Lt. Col., with wife Beverly in tow as his piano accompanist. Tom’s effervescent smile and happy - joyous, rather - demeanor was obvious from the get-go, as was his love of music. I knew we would be fast friends, and we were for more than 20 years. After leaving the university, Tom was my go-to guy anytime I needed anything, be it a household fix, a move, a singer, or a cast member in a show. Once while Tom was installing some clothing rods in my tiny apartment, he saw all my music scores stacked on the ground. “Oh, Miss. Laureen,” he said in his toe tingling bass voice, (he always called me Miss Laureen) “do you need a shelf for your music?” . I told him I had some shelves, but they weren’t tall enough for my music so I had to stack the scores on their sides. He said he had some “scrap lumber” and could make me a set of shelves. I thought he would just slap together something, but I was very grateful, nonetheless. Imagine my surprise when he arrived with a beautifully constructed bookcase with a paneled back and crown molding, painted in a rich wine color. Of course, the shelves were exactly the right height for my scores. That was Tom Fleckten in a nutshell - give him any task and he would do his absolute best work for you. I started doing some music directing and then some stage directing in the Omaha area, and nearly every time I held auditions Tom was there, ready to do anything I asked of him. I tried counting, but its hard to remember when Tom WASN’T there, either on stage or backstage. I think we did more than a dozen stage productions together in some capacity. I clearly remember a show I directed that Tom wasn’t involved in. Tech week rolled around I was in tears, pulling my hair out because I had no set. Tom showed up on a Saturday, tools in hand, and finished a huge part of the set, humming and singing and relieving my woes. I began my tenure as the Artistic Director of MasterSingers in 2010, and Tom sang every concert with me until he became too ill to do so - 25 concerts. He was the heart of the bass section, and often the trouble maker. I loved him for his voice and his mischief, and so did everyone else. We awarded Tom and Bev our Commitment to Excellence Award in 2017, by unanimous vote. He was, you see, my knight in shining armor, my “Sir Thomas of Fleckten”, as I always called him. He was my Champion. At his memorial service last week I kept expecting to see him come through the door, all smiles, humming and singing as he always did. I expected his resonant “hello, Miss Laureen”. I cried so hard my stomach hurt. I am crying now, as I write this, knowing I will not hear the humming, the constant song of Sir Thomas. I will not see that mischievous twinkle in his eye again, except in my memory. With his absence, the world is not quite as bright and all too quiet. By the way, the music shelf is still in my living room, next to my piano, where it has been for more than 20 years. It will always be there. It, like Sir Thomas’ friendship, has stood the test of time. It holds my music, my memories, my heart. |
Omaha World Herald - January 19, 2019
Fleckten, Thomas C. Lt Col USAF (Ret) Dec 17, 2018 Age 74.
Tom was filled with a musician's creativity, a sailor's wanderlust, a craftsman's perfectionism, a farmer's will, and an entertainer's spirit…all of this wrapped in a husband's and father's dedication to family. Tom is survived by wife of 54 years, Beverly; children, Julie (Kevin), Laura (Jeff) and Eric (Cecile); nine grandchildren: Kailey (Chris), Angela, Sydney, Gary, Margo, Anna, Meena, Ava and Ella; and one great-granddaughter, Isla.
Fleckten, Thomas C. Lt Col USAF (Ret) Dec 17, 2018 Age 74.
Tom was filled with a musician's creativity, a sailor's wanderlust, a craftsman's perfectionism, a farmer's will, and an entertainer's spirit…all of this wrapped in a husband's and father's dedication to family. Tom is survived by wife of 54 years, Beverly; children, Julie (Kevin), Laura (Jeff) and Eric (Cecile); nine grandchildren: Kailey (Chris), Angela, Sydney, Gary, Margo, Anna, Meena, Ava and Ella; and one great-granddaughter, Isla.
If you would like to make a donation to MasterSingers Omaha in memory of Tom Fleckten please use the link below to donate online or send your remembrances to MasterSingers Omaha, 2531 N. 61st Street, Omaha, NE 68104.
