Our friend and former colleague passed peacefully on August 9, 2019. Tom Drought was a beloved father, honorable estate planning, probate and trust administration attorney and a highly-respected colleague. All of us at Davis|Kuelthau are grateful to have had the privilege of working with Tom for eight years and will regard his legacy forever.
As a respected trusts and estates law attorney, Tom dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the legal profession, and the clients he so proudly served. His experience included knowledge of all types of trusts, including living revocable and irrevocable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts and charitable remainder trusts. Additionally, Tom’s experience in probate and trust administration included formal and informal probate administration proceedings and he served as an expert witness in probate litigation matters. Prior to joining Davis|Kuelthau as Of Counsel and mentor, Tom served at the law firm of Cooke and Franke which was founded by his grandfather.
As a dedicated member of several community organizations, Tom served in leadership capacities on many area foundation boards, legal organizations, business boards, and nature associations. His dedication to leadership and philanthropy included service as President of the Milwaukee Bar Association, Board President of the Ice Age Trail Alliance as well as the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Board of Trustees of Carroll University, Village President for the Village of Bayside, Village Attorney for Bayside for 30 years, and Board Member for Nicolet and Bayside School Districts. Tom’s passion for the law and his community combined with his interest in traveling the world created opportunities to establish many close friendships in all walks of life.
Furthermore, Tom was a dedicated family man. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Tom will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
A 2009 State Bar of Wisconsin article highlighting Tom’s career at 50 years is linked here.
A memorial service will take place at Fox Point Lutheran Church in Fox Point, WI on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM followed by a lunch reception and further celebration of Tom’s life. The family suggests that attendees consider wearing bow ties in memory of Tom.