In High School he lettered in football, basketball and track, and graduated as valedictorian from Wisner High School in 1949. He attended 1 year at Wayne State and then transferred to the University of Nebraska where he pursued his Pharmacy degree and was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1953 he met the love of his life, Betty Connell, while working at the Elks Club and they were married that December right before he left for the army where he served 2 years stateside. He returned to the University to finish his last year and in 1956 he graduated with a degree in Pharmacy with membership in the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society.
He began his Pharmacy career at Bradfield Drug in Lincoln, NE and 7 years later, in 1962 he opened his own store, Van Dorn Pharmacy, which was formerly Andy’s Drugstore. In 1967 he had outgrown that space and built a larger building on the empty lot right next door. Several years later he opened a pharmacy in Indian Village and the Centrum but Van Dorn Pharmacy (or “Tom’s” as the neighborhood kids called it) was always the flagship store. All of the family worked there over the years in different roles but no one more than Betty. There were many wonderful employees through the years that became like family. Having served the neighborhood, the community and 3rd generation of customers, they retired in 1996. He now had time for his favorite things: golf, bridge, dancing, traveling and grandkids, great grand kids and of course Husker Football.
Over the years he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, The Lincoln Country Club, former member of Elks lodge 80, American Legion, Shriners, Rotary and Nebraska Pharmacy Association.
Tom was proceeded in death by his wife Betty J. (Connell) Whitcomb, son Scott T. Whitcomb, daughter Marcie R. Whitcomb-Fuentealba, He is survived by his daughter Nancy (Whitcomb) Sundberg, son-in-law Craig Sundberg, grandchildren; Aaron Sundberg (Amber), Brett Sundberg (Jenny), Elizabeth Sundberg, Nicholas Fuenteabla and great grandchildren; Colin, Teddy, Emma and Will.
Also, preceding him are brothers: Gene Whitcomb, Ken Whitcomb and Jim Whitcomb; his surviving siblings, Stan Whitcomb and Ruth (Whitcomb) Troyer and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held t 3:00 pm on July 31, 2026, Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Service Recording: