Tom Wiltse is a longtime resident of the Elk Rapids area, having moved to the area with his wife Susan in 1969. Both are graduates of Albion College. Tom taught science at Elk Rapids Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1999. Susan recently retired also, after a 30 year career, mostly at Lakeland Elementary in Elk Rapids.
The Wiltses have two daughters, both currently living in Chicago. Anne (MSU, 1997) is director of the leasing department at Jerome H Meyer and Company, Real Estate in Chicago. Nora (Albion College, 1999) recently completed her Masters Degree in library science, and is in her third year as librarian at Cooper Elementary School in Chicago.
During the summers, Tom has been actively involved in the marine business, as part owner of Ship ‘n Shore - a boat rental business (1970 to 1983), and as the manufacturer of Paddlebuoy paddleboards (1975 to the present). Tom and Susan also own and operate Pad Lock, LLC, a self storage business with three locations in Elk Rapids.
Tom is an active member and past President of the Elk Rapids Rotary Club, where he served as Youth Exchange Officer for 18 years. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Elk Lake Community Chorus, and the Grand Traverse Chorale. For thirteen years he was a member as well as Chairman of the Village of Elk Rapids Planning Commission, and currently serves on the Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority. He has served on the boards of the Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association, and the Michigan Science Olympiad
