Jan. 16, 2025 – Thomas P. Salmon passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the age of 92. He served as attorney to F. Nelson Blount and as an incorporator for the Green Mountain Railroad and the Steamtown Foundation. He later went on to serve as the governor of Vermont. The below obituary comes from the Burlington Free Press. Mr. Salmon was heavily involved in the background of the early Steamtown story and, in 2025, was one of its last surviving central figures.
“Former two-term Gov. Thomas P. Salmon — known for his astonishing underdog victory in the 1972 gubernatorial race — died “peaceful” on Tuesday in a Brattleboro rehabilitation facility where he had spent the last three years.
His son confirmed on social media later that evening. The former Democratic politician was 92.
‘He lived a full life of service with honor, heart and humor,” wrote Salmon’s son, former state auditor Thomas M. Salmon, as part of a family statement. “His contributions to those less fortunate will not be forgotten. He could walk with kings but never forgot the common man, nor where he came from.‘
Prior to holding Vermont’s highest office, Salmon, a lawyer by trade, served in the Vermont House from 1965 to 1970, where he spent two years as minority leader.
Salmon’s career took a hit, however, when he ran for attorney general in 1970 and lost handily. So, when he became governor two years later after a last-minute bid in then-Republican controlled Vermont, his victory shocked the nation.
After two terms as governor, Salmon ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1976. But he made another career comeback in 1991 when was appointed the interim president of the University of Vermont to help the school during a time of financial turmoil. Salmon would later serve as the permanent president until 1997.
Details about funeral services and a celebration of life this summer will be released by family as they are made.“
Obituary sourced from:
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/15/thomas-salmon-vermont-governor-uvm-president-death-obituary/77715944007/
Steamtown Historical Collective 