ALTAMONT — Thomas Oldfield Talbot, an epidemiologist, was an avid outdoorsman who met his wife, a nurse, while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon.

He died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, with his loving family by his side. He was 71.

“Born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, Tom was a man of boundless energy and curiosity who found immense joy in gardening, traveling, and building,” his family wrote in a tribute. “A passionate nature enthusiast, he enjoyed tending his property in Knox, where he created beautiful gardens, renovated cabins, cultivated a vegetable garden, and planted many trees. He relished taking on large projects, finding satisfaction in hard work and the challenges they presented.

“Tom was an avid outdoorsman, spending his time fishing, hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. He often fished for bluefish and striped bass on Fishers Island, New York and enjoyed memorable adventures like hiking the Camino de Compostela through France and completing an expedition up Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

“In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Annie, visiting their home in Chaillol, France, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who lovingly called him TT. Tom could often be found taking daily walks through Altamont and bringing his grandchildren to visit the Altamont Free Library. Always eager to strike up a conversation, Tom enjoyed keeping up with local happenings, especially within the community.

“A lifelong learner, Tom graduated from the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut, and earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of Vermont. After graduating, he volunteered for the Peace Corps in Cameroon, West Africa, where he met his loving wife Anne-Marie Pellegrin who was volunteering as a nurse for L’association Française des Volontaires du Progrès. The two went on to share a fulfilling 45-year marriage.

“Returning to the United States, he pursued a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Together, Tom and Anne-Marie started a family and returned to Cameroon for four years, where he contributed to several major studies with Tulane University, specializing in parasitic diseases.

“The Talbot family eventually settled in Altamont, where Tom began his career as an epidemiologist with the New York State Department of Health. He was a dedicated and accomplished professional, contributing to impactful research, publishing extensively, and serving as an adjunct professor at the state University of New York at Albany.”

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Thomas Oldfield Talbot is survived by his devoted wife, Anne-Marie Pellegrin Talbot, and their two children: Stephanie France and her husband, Daniel France, and Nicolas Talbot and his wife, Katrina Talbot. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Madeline France, Chelsea France, and Sophie Talbot, as well as his siblings, Jane Marshall and Bruce Talbot, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

His brother, Robert “Toby” Talbot, died before him.

“The Talbot family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Altamont Fire Department for their lifesaving service and to the caregivers at Albany Medical Center and St. Peter's Hospital for their compassionate care during Tom’s final days,” the tribute said.

Calling hours will be held at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on Friday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial messages may be left at https://altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Altamont Free Library at 179 Main St., Altamont, NY 12009 or to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.