Thomas Joseph Bowersox

Thomas Joseph Bowersox was born in Hanover, PA on January 4, 1948 to Stanley and Dorothy (Foulk) Bowersox. His youth had a strong emphasis on sports, especially baseball and football.

He attended Albright College, where he played football for four years and married the love of his life, Elaine Wetzel, after his sophomore year. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor's in History, and they began their life in Berks County.

Tom started his career at the Berks County Board of Assistance, moving on to become Director of Berks County Children and Youth. During this time, Tom completed his Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and graduated with a call to teach at Albright College, his alma mater. He was a passionate teacher and mentor, touching many students' lives in the classroom and as the Women's Cross Country Coach. A lifelong learner, he earned his doctorate in Government in 1983 from Lehigh University. He later taught at Millersville University and retired from Elizabethtown College in 2008.

In 1986, he and Elaine adopted Ashley Bowersox from South Korea. Tom was an avid Eagles and Phillies fan, which he shared with Ashley. They loved travelling to Philly to go to games. Tom enjoyed skiing and playing golf with his buddies and had a passion for gardening, which created immense beauty. He was a dedicated member of Immanuel UCC, and serving on the Consistory was close to his heart. Tom loved to travel, especially with Elaine and Ashley. He always enjoyed meeting many new people and having new experiences.

He was a loving, caring, and sensitive husband and dad, as well as a loyal, open-hearted friend. May your light live on, Tom - memories are the legacy of love!

Tom is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughter, Ashley Bowersox of Frederick, MD; sister, Martha Test (Randy); nieces and nephews: Adam Test, Dr. Matt Test, Amy Bohn, and Rebecca Sanders; seven great-nieces and nephews; as well as one Goddaughter, Jessica Harper.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., with a celebration of life service to begin at 1:00 p.m. at The Highlands of Wyomissing. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Church Cemetery, Hanover, PA.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), Elizabethtown College Fund to Aid Students of Elizabethtown (FASE), mail checks to Attn: "Bowersox Memorial" Elizabethtown College Office of Advancement, One Alpha Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298 or visit www.etown.edu/fase, or Immanuel UCC (99 S Waverly St, Shillington, PA 19607).

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc, West Reading is honored to assist the Bowersox family. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.