Thomas Layman 1935 – 2018
Co-founder of the Minnesota Art Pottery Association

Thomas E. Layman, physician, audiophile, lover of literature and art, passed away at 83 while surrounded by family on Monday, December 24, 2018.

Tom was born August 13, 1935, in Sterling IL, the second of three children to Wendell and Jessie Layman. Following graduation from high school in Stronghurst IL, he attended the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana, where he earned his medical degree. As a physician, Tom practiced and taught medicine in Minneapolis and Iowa City, retiring from private practice in 2008. He stayed involved with medicine by being medical director at Biotest until October 2018.

Aside from his passion for medicine, Tom deeply enjoyed music, collecting vinyl and putting miles on his tube-amplified stereo system. Tom loved art, and was the co-founder of the Minnesota Art Pottery Association, along with his former wife, Brenda, in 1984. He also enjoyed spending afternoons working in the yard and reading late into the night.

He loved his family, his friends and his pup, Koda. Tom is survived by his children, Robert (Sheila) Layman, Jodie (Gary) Bramel, Ezra Layman and Isaak Layman; four grandchildren, Alec and Christopher Bramel and Sterling and Courtney Layman; former wife, Brenda Pearson; his sister, Joan (Don) Johnson; and brother, Jon (Donna) Layman; and many dear friends, whom he considered family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and former wife, Patricia.

The Iowa City Gazette, December 28, 2018