Thomas A. Bartikoski

Bartikoski Thomas A., age 51, previously of Mpls., passed away suddenly June 26 of natural causes in Bonaire, Dutch Antilles. He is survived by a loving wife, Wendy Horn; parents, Bob & Mary Lou; brothers, Bob, Jim (wife, Kathy), Mark (Corrina) and Mike (Cindy); 8 nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count. Preceded in death by his brother Paul. Born and raised in Minnesota, Tom retired from Padilla Speer Beardsley after an accomplished career as a public relations practitioner. He was instrumental in establishing an accreditation program to improve professionalism in the field and was active in several capacities in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He was the first Minnesotan named to PRSA's College of Fellows and was awarded a PRSA Silver Anvil - the organization's highest honor for individual work. In 2001, after 23 tireless years of passionate work for on behalf of his chosen profession, he and Wendy married and moved to Bonaire to pursue a love for scuba diving, island life and ``no snow''. Memorial service Tuesday, July 2, 3 pm Lakewood Mausoleum Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. A Celebration of His Life follows at 4:30 pm at the offices of Padilla Speer Beardsley, Inc., 1101 West River Parkway, Mpls. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send memorials to either Support Bonaire, Inc., 109 E. Main St., Ste. 400, Norfolk, VA 23510-1647; or Ocean Adventures, 20516 Lake Ridge Drive, Prior Lake, MN 55372. All proceeds will be used to support programs benefiting the island of Bonaire and the ocean that Tom loved. Cremation Society of MN 952-924-4100

Published on June 28, 2002