From FindAGrave at
Thomas K. Plofchan, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the University of the Incarnate Word, died on December 7, after a long illness. He was 64. "This is a deep loss for the entire Incarnate Word community," said Dr. Louis J. Agnese, President of Incarnate Word. "Tom was a gentle soul and a true gentleman who represented the very best qualities of our institution. He will be greatly missed. "Mr. Plofchan, a native of Michigan, had been with Incarnate Word since 1986. He oversaw all fund raising and alumni relations activities at Incarnate Word and its two high schools in his capacity as vice president for institutional advancement. This included supervising professional activities related to government grants and contracts, as well as foundation and corporate relations.
Prior to joining Incarnate Word, Mr. Plofchan was at Marygrove College in Detroit for 17 years, where he served in a number of capacities, including vice president for institutional advancement. "It was a real coup for us when Tom decided to work for Incarnate Word, especially for me as a young university president who had been on the job for only about a year," said Dr. Agnese. "His knowledge and professionalism were instrumental to our growth in the last 15 years. Our fund-raising activities reached new levels because of him." Mr. Plofchan, who had more than 30 years of experience in advancement and development work, was a member of the National Society for Fund Raising Executives, and was a Certified Fund Raising Executive. Last year (2000) he was named Outstanding Fund Raising Executive for San Antonio's 20th annual National Philanthropy Day.
He was active in a number of organizations, including serving as a board member of the San Antonio region of the National Conference for Community and Justice and the Non-Profit Resource Center of Texas. He also was active in the Northeast Kiwanis Club, the Greater San Antonio, North San Antonio and Alamo Heights Chambers of Commerce, and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. A long-time organist at St. Pius X Church, Mr. Plofchan had a BA in music from the University of Notre Dame. His great love of music was a gift he shared with his family, friends and many thousands of people at innumerable funerals, weddings and Sunday Masses. He was a member of the San Antonio Master Singers and directed the Sedes Sapientia Men's Choir. Mr. Plofchan held a Master's in counseling and guidance from the University of Detroit. He had also completed coursework for a Ph.D. at Wayne State University.
He is survived by his wife, Paula; his mother, Elsie Bronikowski; his step-father, Vincent Bronikowski; his daughters, Elizabeth Cueter, Margaret Plofchan and Jennifer Tyler; his sons, Thomas K. Plofchan, Jr., Paul Plofchan, Peter Plofchan and Daniel Plofchan; his daughters-in-law, Kathryn Plofchan, Laura Plofchan and Tami Plofchan; his sons-in-law, Jeffrey Cueter and Lance Tyler; his grandchildren, Thomas K. Plofchan, III, Andrew Plofchan, Carson Cueter, Paul Plofchan, Jr., Caroline Cueter, Adam Plofchan, Kathryn Alexis Plofchan, Elias Cueter, Rosalie Plofchan, Nathaniel Plofchan and Leah Plofchan; a twelfth grandchild due in February 2002; his sister, Barbara Fairhurst; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law. FUNERAL MASS THURSDAY 10:00 A.M. MOTHER HOUSE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Thomas K. Plofchan, Sr. Scholarship Fund at the University of the Incarnate Word. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Lizzie Kunde 
