Born to the Church Triumphant on June 24, 2015, Tom had a natural gift in connecting to those struggling with addiction, mental health/family issues, and life threatening illnesses. His life journey afforded him many opportunities in serving the needs of others over the past 40 years. His belief was “persons, when given opportunity, have the propensity to change”. As a result, the miracle of recovery was witnessed in the lives of so many. Everyone who knew Tom report, “he made a lasting and deep impression”. Tom was known for his commitment to excellence and was a very dedicated healthcare professional and team member.
Born April 11, 1951 in Leon, Iowa, Tom was the son of the late Frederick Mitchell Zercher and Nana Pauline (Miller) Zercher. He was raised in rural Bethany, Mo., having graduated with the Class of ’69, from South Harrison High School. He completed his undergraduate work at Missouri Western State University, receiving a B.A., in Social Work, in 1973. He was selected to attend the Valley Hope Counselor Training Program in Norton, Kan., for a one-year intensive internship specializing in addiction treatment. Upon completion, Tom transferred to a Valley Hope treatment facility in Cushing, Okla. He received his graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., in 1979, with a Masters in Human Relations/Addiction. He was affiliated with the internationally recognized Hazelden Treatment Foundation of Center City, Minn., and completed a Professional Residency in Training Program. Tom was a certified addiction counselor and served on the Certification Board in Oklahoma, and was actively involved in the Summer School of Addiction Studies, University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., for a number of years.
Zercher, 64, was a resident of Cape Coral, Fla., for the past 28 years. He was recruited to be Clinical Director at the Cloisters at Pine Island, (1986) an internationally recognized treatment program for addiction. Mr. Zercher would later assume directorship, management, and administrative roles in various other treatment, community, and social service agencies, including, Director of Satellite Services, Ruth Cooper Center, Director of Adult Outpatient Services, Southwest Florida Addiction Services, (SWFAS), Director of Case Management, Island Coast AIDS Network (ICAN), and for the past 12 years, has been employed by Hope Healthcare Services as a Supportive Services Counselor, Nationally Certified in Thanatology.
Tom leaves to his passing, Ruth Ellen Zercher; their children, Erich Mitchell Zercher of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Emily Brooke Zercher of Cape Coral, Fla. Other survivors include his partner, Tim VanHall of Ft. Myers, Fla.; sisters, Nancy Vicker of Essex, Iowa, Billie Rae Pillow of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as a multitude of friends.
Tom has been a long-standing member of Faith Presbyterian Church having served as past elder. He was also a member of the German American Social Club and has served on a number of community boards over the years.
A memorial service in celebrating the life of Tom F. Zercher will be held on July 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33904.
Arrangements are by Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park of Ft. Myers, Fla. Donations of remembrance can be made to Faith Presbyterian Church’s food pantry or Developmental Office, Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Cir, Ft. Myers, FL 33908 or your favorite charity. Info 239-334-4880.