Most machine shop students at Stivers did not know that Mr. Roehm was an outstanding athlete in the early years of the school’s history. Thomas played baseball 4 years, basketball 3 years, ran track 3 years, and earned 7 varsity letters.
The Tiger basketball team won 7 and lost only 1 game in league play in the 1913-1914 season. They qualified for the state tourney and won 3 more games before losing to Marietta. They beat Steele twice that year. Tom’s Senior year the basketball team went undefeated beating Steele and again won the city of Dayton championship.
He played 4 years on the varsity baseball team and was the starting first baseman for 3 of those years. Team members elected Tom their captain his Senior season. Roehm was a big, strong man that excelled in the muscle events in track. The discus and shotput were his specialty events for the Tigers.
After graduating from Stivers, Tom continued his education at Miami in Oxford where he earned a bachelors degree. World War I spurred a huge demand for machined parts and Tom worked in that profession for about 7 years in a Dayton shop.
During which time he helped his uncle, probate Judge John Roehm, officiate track meets. Judge John was also a basketball player who had at least 6 sons that excelled in local sports programs. Vic Roehm was a prominent boxer and some of his brothers were very competitive in tennis.
About the year 1928, Thomas went to work for the Dayton Public School system, teaching 12 years at Emerson and then 25 years at Stivers. He retired after the 1964 class.
Tom was the son of George and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Roehm, born on June 30, 1895. He and his wife Gladys had one son, Thomas, and a stepson, Laurence Reichelderfer. Mr. Roehm passed away June 22, 1980 and is buried in the Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery.
