Born in Berlin, Germany; to Erich Schatzki and Bertl Koller Schatzki. With the rise of the Nazi regime, Tom and his sister Karin were sent to a Boarding School in Switzerland (1933). The family reunited in Holland (1934-1941). In 1941, the children were sent away to safety with Aunt "Lina" Koller; via Berlin, Barcelona, Havana and finally New York. Thomas became Valedictorian of Forest Hills High School NY, in 1945.
In 1948, college was interrupted, when Tom became a Paratrooper in the US Army Airborne. He parachuted into Japan. BS degree in Chemistry from the University of Michigan (1949). March 1952, Tom married Lillian Marie Greco; a Sicilian Catholic Nurse. Their daughter Leah was born in December 1952. PHD in Chemical Physics from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1954). And in July of 1955, they had their son David Anthony. 1955, Thomas did his Post Doctorate work with US Naval Weapons Systems: jet fighter trajectories, and numerical equations on jet engine flames.
In 1959, they moved the family to California. Tom began working for Shell Oil's Research and Development Department; chemistry and mathematics. 1972, he joined the US Department of Agriculture in Emeryville. At USDA, Thomas mentored several students and did research on food products. He wrote numerous publications, and traveled overseas to give lectures and share his knowledge: Creating an x-ray program for contraband detection; scanning fruits for defects; and reducing Aflatoxins and Mycotoxins in nut products.
Berkeley residents for over 56 years, Tom and Lillian led a fulfilled and active life together: cross country skiing, backpacking trips, overseas travel, opera, symphony, museums, and theater. Thomas's mother gave her children an appreciation for the arts; as seen in the Tom's collection of tribal and modern art.
Thomas Schatzki has joined his beloved wife Lillian (1927-2006), and is survived by his children Leah Schazki Kutz, David Anthony Schatzki; granddaughter Rachel Kutz; and his sister Karin Schatzki Arlin.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation www.pdf.org.