The GCTA Supports Tennis

WEED Thurlow "Tad" Weed, age 73, born January 18, 1933 - died Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. Preceded in death by his parents Roy Bertram and Claire (Sweeney) Weed and uncle and aunt Ed and Bess Sweeney Weed. Survived by his sons, Stephen Thurlow Weed (Jim Riedel), of Columbus, and Michael Riley (Kelly) Weed and granddaughter, Riley Claire Weed of Baltimore, MD; special friend of many years, Sue van Voorhis, Indianapolis, and her family; beloved god-child, Adal van Voorhis; super ex-wife, Susan Scherer and her extended family; and many friends. Tad loved his family, the Football Buckeyes, all of his team-mates in all of his sports: golf, his own metal short skis and skiing, basketball, track, swimming, figure skating, hockey and particularly tennis. He loved Grandview and all of his life-long friends. He loved to travel. On a trip to Cuba during college, he was able to meet and have an extended conversation with Ernest Hemingway and his wife, "Miss Mary." Inventor of the Weed Tennis Racquet, he continued to design new racquets for the Weed U.S.A. Company through 2004. He obtained two patents on the original over-sized tennis racquet, which changed the face of modern American tennis. Tad was active in the competitive Columbus tennis scene for many years, including many club championships at Scioto Country Club and others. Tad graduated from Grandview High School in 1951, was a member of the National Honor Society and was the Class Treasurer. He continued as a member of The Brotherhood of Rooks. Tad lettered in four sports his senior year. Tad graduated from The Ohio State University in 1956, where he was a specialist place-kicker for the National Champion Football team of 1954, under Coach Woody Hayes, remaining one of Woody's boys for many years. In 1955, he participated in the All-Star Game at Soldier's Field in Chicago during which he kicked the winning points for the All-Stars, one of only two games the All-Stars won in that extended series. He held the record for the most kicks and the longest kick in the All-Star game. Tad successfully designed the first blunt-nose place-kicking shoe, using one of his ski boots for his prototype. During his time at Ohio State, he began weight-lifting, and was the National Champion in his weight class during his senior year. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams for the pre-season activities in 1955 and then returned to Ohio State to finish his second senior year. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and ROTC. During his last year at Ohio State, his fifth, he was place-kicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, flying to their games Friday evening and returning Sunday night to Columbus. Tad served his Marine Corps years in Japan where he developed the Japanese Inter-Corps Athletic Program, and kicked for the Tokyo team every weekend, flying in from the U.S. Army Base in Ewakuni, south of Tokyo, where he was stationed. During one of his far-flung adventures, he attempted to establish a free country, the Republic of Minerva, in the vicinity of the Minerva Straits, in the Great Pacific Ocean. Calling hours will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, November 19, 2006 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road. The Thurlow Weed Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, November 20, 2006 at the North Broadway United Methodist Church, 48 E. North Broadway. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Tad's name to the Grandview High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 1587 West Third Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212. Tad lived a great life, as he wanted to live it. Tad always understood friendship and enjoyed lasting friendships with many of the people with whom he connected over all his years. He will be missed by all. visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences to the family.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch from 11/8/2006 - 11/12/2006.