Thomas M. Taplinger (1945-2017)

Blade, The (Toledo, OH)

Oct. 29--Thomas M. Taplinger, an insurance agent and financial planner who maintained business relationships and friendships over decades, died Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Fla. He was 72.

He had acute leukemia and developed pneumonia, his son, Matthew Taplinger, said.

Mr. Taplinger, formerly of West Toledo and Sylvania, lived since 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was gradually retiring, but still had a few clients, his son said. He was a volunteer tour guide at Bonnet House Museum & gardens in Fort Lauderdale.

He moved to Toledo in 1972, when he married the former Hyla Moskowitz, who was a speech therapist for the Toledo Public Schools. He established himself as a Prudential agent. He later became independent, continuing with insurance sales and as a financial planner.

"He was very personable and liked working with people and was kind of a charmer," his son said.

His daughter, Robyn Pearson, said, "If he could make money for people, that meant a lot to him. It was important to him to be generous and help people, but he also craved being appreciated."

Mr. Taplinger was active in the Toledo Association of Life Underwriters and was its former public relations chairman.

He enjoyed dining out and relished the chance to introduce someone to his favorite restaurants, including Ciao! Ristorante in Sylvania or Inky's Italian Food in the heart of Toledo.

Mr. Taplinger spoke easily with anyone and would be sure to introduce those who happened to be in his company.

"He'd talk you up and make you feel good," his son said. "He was a character. That was a thing people would say about him. He was distinguishable."

He was born Jan. 28, 1945, in Cleveland to Kate and Richard Taplinger. The family moved to Long Island, and he was a 1963 graduate of West Hempstead High School. He attended Fenn College in Cleveland, which then became a part of Cleveland State University.

He was active in his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and friendships made there continued until he died, his daughter said.

"This was an important time for him, in college," his daughter said. "He stayed in touch with people and would go out of his way to see people."

After he received a bachelor's degree from Cleveland State, he was drafted. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Mr. Taplinger was a fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Cavaliers and followed college basketball. He liked the music of Motown and Rod Stewart and sang along to Neil Diamond.

Mr. Taplinger also took his son to see Hall and Oates and Midnight Oil and INXS in performance.

"He was cool like that," his son said.

Mrs. Taplinger died in 1993.

Surviving are his daughter, Robyn Pearson; son, Matthew Taplinger; brother, Lee Taplinger, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Robert H. Wick/Wisniewski Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Fla., and and Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale.

Contact Mark Zaborney at mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.

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