It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Norman Rockwell’s second son and biographer, author, poet, and stalwart friend, Thomas Rhodes Rockwell, on Friday, September 27. Tom passed away peacefully with his daughter Abigail at his side. He was the beloved children’s book author of How To Eat Fried Worms and many other children’s books, and co-writer of his father’s autobiography, My Adventures as an Illustrator. There will be a private service for him for friends and family.

Thomas Rhodes Rockwell (1933 – 2024)

Tom was born in New Rochelle, NY, in March 1933, the second son of Norman Rockwell and Mary Barstow Rockwell. The family moved to Vermont in 1939 where his father sought the quiet life of the country to paint his portrayals of American life. Tom grew up swimming in the Battenkill River under the covered bridge, playing ball on the village green and helping out at the dairy farm next door. He was an excellent student, first at Oakwood School in New York and then at Arlington Memorial High School in Vermont, where he graduated as Valedictorian. He briefly attended Princeton, but settled at Bard College where he met artist Gail Sudler, whom he married in 1955. The couple made their home in LaGrange, NY, and Gail illustrated a number ofher husband’s first children’s books.

In addition to his own celebrated literary career—most notably as the author of How to Eat Fried Worms (1973), a book that brought laughter and adventure to countless young (and old) readers—Tom played a pivotal role in honoring and managing his father’s legacy. His poignant penning of Norman Rockwell’s 1960 autobiography, My Adventures as an Illustrator offered profound insights into his father’s life, art, and character.

Beyond writing, Thomas dedicated decades of his life to overseeing his father’s estate through the Rockwell family agency, ensuring that Norman’s timeless depictions of American life continued to inspire future generations. He supported the Museum’s decade-long effort to digitize the Norman Rockwell archival collection making it available to the public in 2011, and accessed by over three million people, to date.

Like his brothers, family, neighbors, and community members, Tom modeled for and appeared in multiple illustrations by his father, including The Muscleman, 1937; Secrets (Boy Reading Sister’s Diary) 1942; Christmas Homecoming, 1948; and The Graduate, 1959; among others. Following the film debut of his story How to Eat Fried Worms, Tom was featured at a public program at NRM. He attended numerous Museum events over the years and participated in special family events, including the planting of the Rockwell Family Apple Grove on the Museum’s campus.

On behalf of the Museum and our entire community, we extend our deepest condolences to the Rockwell family. Thomas’s creative achievements and unwavering dedication to preserving his father’s legacy have left an indelible mark on both American culture and the world of art. He will be dearly missed.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Stockbridge
1 October 2024

Read Poughkeepsie Journal Obituary 

Video interview with Thomas Rockwell