GUILDERLAND — Thomas Martin Reimer died on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at home surrounded by family in Guilderland. “Inspired by the Japanese poet Basho,” his family wrote in a tribute, “he met death ‘gracefully.’

“He was born Oct. 11, 1956 in New York City, as the oldest child of chemical engineer Ulrich Max Reimer and Waltraut Martha B. Alexy. His parents had at that time moved from Germany. After two years in Minnesota, the family returned to Europe.

“Thomas grew up mostly in Brussels, Belgium. After graduating from the German School of Brussels in 1977, he was drafted and did his 15-month military service in the Bundeswehr. Afterwards, he took care of his ailing grandmother.

“After her death in 1982, he visited the United States and met Professor Joanna Kirkpatrick, worked as her assistant, and remained friends until she died in 2017. She influenced his life for the good.

“He moved to Albany in 1985, where he met his wife, Yayin Chu-Reimer, and the couple married in October 1988. They had two sons, Erich and Friedrich.

“He graduated from Regents’ College, then obtained two master’s degrees from the University at Albany, one in library science and the other in history, and a Ph.D. in history from Syracuse University. After a variety of teaching jobs, he became an associate of Occupational Education with the New York State Education Department, reviewing curriculum for the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision.

“He loved his work and his team. Diagnosed with diabetes in July 2020, and pancreatic cancer in September 2021, he retired in January 2022.

“Thomas enjoyed history, especially of his mother’s group, the Carpathian Germans from Slovakia, and local German-American history. Believing strongly in letting people find their own history, he was active in creating research guides for these two subjects both in print and online.

“He enjoyed socializing, and was happiest enjoying good chats with friends over a bottle of wine. He loved gardening and volunteering in general.

“In January 2021, he joined the Albany County Medical Reserve Corps and participated in the ‘flow’ team in nine sessions helping to get people vaccinated against COVID.

“He loved hiking. He was especially happy to have walked the 480-mile Camino de Santiago (Frances) in October 2018/May 2019, and then again in May 2022, after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, 75 miles on the Camino Portuguese with his two brothers.”

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Thomas Martin Reimer is survived by his wife of 34 years, Yayin Chu-Reimer, and their two children, Erich Reimer and Friedrich Reimer,” all of whom brought joy to his life,” his family wrote.

He is also survived by his two brothers in Brussels, Klaus Reimer (with son, Max, and Coline, the daughter from his late companion Paule); Peter Reimer (with companion Lillian Calaca da Silva and daughter, Selena); his cousins in Germany and their families, and many other relatives, and many friends, notably Jean Witkowski, from school, and in Albany MaryBeth Sullivan, Tina Martinez, and Melissa Lurie.

His parents, uncle, and aunts, died before him, in Germany. 

Private services will be held, and he will be cremated through Hans Funeral Home in Albany.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).