Thomas Yackish

Thomas M. Yackish, retired Professor Emeritus of Engineering at Grand Valley State University and Voice of the Laker Marching Band for 23 years, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Waterford Place in Jenison, Michigan. He was 87 years old. 

Tom was born on May 20, 1938, to Alexander and Elizabeth Yackish in East Chicago, Indiana. A 1960 Purdue University graduate, Tom received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and was a four-year member of the Purdue All-American Marching Band. He also received an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois.

After teaching at Purdue Calumet for 16 years, Tom moved to Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and helped establish its Electrical Engineering Department.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Yackish. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Yackish) Cline; nieces and nephews, Stephanie Yackish, Marcy (Marc) Mickiewicz, James (Jenna) Yackish, Martin (Greta) Cline, John (Lisa) Cline, and Caroline (Jeff) Cartwright.

A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held at a later date.