Thomas Edward Ferderbar, December 11, 1928 - March 26, 2026

Thomas “Tom” Ferderbar, 97, renowned photographer and longtime resident of Milwaukee and Delafield, Wisconsin, died peacefully at home on March 26, 2026, with his daughter, Pamela, his son-in-law, Tom Bamberger, and his beloved dogs at his side. He was preceded in death by Helen, his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, and his brother Ivan and sister Grace.

Tom was a devoted father to Pam, an author and photographer, and he adored his son-in-law, Tom Bamberger, a photographer himself. Tom took particular delight in the fact that his daughter married another Tom who also made his life in photography.

Tom took exceptional pride in his extended family. He is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews Colleen Anderson (née Roach), Melanie Roach, Kevin Roach, and Kyle Roach, and by their children and offspring: Lauren Anderson and her son Liam; Tyler Anderson and his wife, Iva and their children, Louisa and Mila; Ava Keenan (née Anderson) and her husband, Sean and their daughter, Coco; Elliot Anderson and his wife, Emily and their son, Max; and Carly Anderson. Tom cherished Melanie’s children Bella Milstein (née Bekos) and Jack Bekos, and held a special place in his heart for their father, Brad Bekos. Tom adored Kevin’s children Dustin and Cielo, and their mother Luz. He is lovingly remembered by his niece Linda Sturdevant (nee Ferderbar) and her husband Mike and their daughters, Allyn and Lindsay; and by the family of his late nephew Phillip Ferderbar, Phillip’s wife Kathy and their children Matthew and Elizabeth.

Tom held a special place in his heart for his godson, Chad Bruss, for Chad’s wife Nolene, and for their new baby boy, Avyaan. He treasured his lifelong friends Bill Cook, Steve Gates, and Verne Thieme, with whom he shared countless trips, projects, and more lunches than anyone could count; they will miss him dearly.

Tom built a distinguished career as a commercial and fine art photographer, known for his meticulous eye, technical mastery, and professionalism. Tom and Helen scraped and sacrificed to get Ferderbar Studios off the ground, and over nearly 50 years they grew it into one of the most successful photography studios in the Midwest, employing dozens of people and earning top industry awards. Tom’s fine art photography has been widely exhibited in solo shows throughout the United States and collected internationally.

Next to his father, who taught him the value of hard work, the greatest influence on Tom’s life was master photographer Ansel Adams, with whom he studied in Yosemite in 1958. Tom drew on that life-altering experience every time he got behind a camera.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, May 23 at the Elm Grove Woman’s Club, 13885 Watertownplank Road, Elm Grove, Wisconsin, from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in his name be made to HAWS (Humane Animal Welfare Society) of Waukesha County or Henry’s Hope Foundation (HenrysHopeFoundation.com), the Los Angeles animal rescue from which his beloved dogs Zuzu and Alfie came.