UWM Student Who Passed Away in Sandburg Residence Hall Was a ‘Kind, Young’ Nursing Student

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student died in a Sandburg Residence Hall on the morning of Sunday, April 19.

According to a report obtained from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, the student was 19-year-old Thomas R. Tatterson.

Tatterson’s obituary stated that Tatterson was a nursing student at UWM, and a Mequon native. It also said that the student’s death follows a tragic accident.

“A lifelong resident of Mequon, Wisconsin, Thomas was a kind young man of gentle wit and remarkable depth who embraced both global adventures and quiet, cozy moments at home,” the obituary says.

“Thomas was a nursing student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. To him, nursing was a calling centered on his life’s mission of helping people,” the obituary added. Tatterson “was known for being exceptionally kind, sweet, polite, and intelligent. A fierce advocate for inclusiveness and LGBTQ rights, he believed everyone deserved respect. His compassion extended to all animals, and he held a particular fascination for sharks.”

Added the obituary: “Characterized as a quick-witted problem solver and a true artist, Thomas expressed his creativity through drawing and masterful Lego creations and a keen eye for jewelry and thrifting. Though he loved home and Door County, he was an avid traveler who explored the culture and landscapes of the England, Spain, Singapore, China, and Japan.”

Shortly after Sunday morning, students said that rumors began to circulate regarding a death in the dorms.

“Some of my friends who live in the dorms said they saw the medical examiner’s car outside of Sandburg,” said 20-year-old Isabel Gitzlaff. “That’s when they knew something was going on.”

When asked for a statement, a university spokesperson provided the following:

“Consistent with UWM protocol and to protect privacy, we do not share details about a student death; however, we do provide support resources to those directly impacted and share in the mourning of any member of our campus community.”

This isn’t the first time that a student has passed in a Sandburg Residence Tower. In 2021, two freshmen died just months apart in their dorms.

A 19-year-old freshman named Logan Rachwal died in his dorm on Valentine’s Day in 2021. Just a few months later, 18-year-old Cade Reddington died in his dorm room on Nov. 4, 2021.

The Love Logan Foundation and Cade’s Light were founded in the students’ memories. Both memorials aim to educate the public about the dangers of Fentanyl.

Fallen Panthers is a digital web page that honors students who have passed in recent years. Here, students can leave messages to the family of the deceased individuals, as well as find support resources.

Tatterson’s obituary described him as a “a kind young man of gentle wit and remarkable depth who embraced both global adventures and quiet, cozy moments at home.”

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has yet to make a public statement regarding the situation, and the student’s cause of death has not yet been released.