Merced community steps up to help longtime coach during crisis. Family says it’s a miracle
Tom Scheidt spent the bulk of his life caring for others as a teacher, football coach, principal, rotary club member and as an active church member.
Scheidt, 72, spent 12 years as the Dos Palos High head football coach and 11 years as the Merced High principal.
So when the tables were recently turned, and it was Scheidt who needed help, people didn’t hesitate to step up.
Over $65,000 was raised in just over 24 hours through a GoFundme page to help pay for Scheidt to be flown back home to Merced, as he continues his recovery after suffering a brain aneurysm during his annual fishing trip in Alaska.
“We’re very, very thankful,” said son Rob Scheidt, who is the Merced High football coach. “There aren’t words to show the gratitude our family feels for the love and recognition people have shown my dad.”
“It’s humbling to know there are so many people who love and care for your dad to give that way,” Rob added. “We truly believe we serve a God that loves and cares for us.”
According to Rob, his father is scheduled to fly back to Merced on Tuesday.
A dire situation
Rob feels it’s a miracle his dad will soon be coming back home. At one point, Rob was told by doctors his dad had 24 to 48 hours to live.
Rob was en route to Alaska with his sons, Sam and Seth, to join his dad on the Alaskan fishing trip. He had touched down in Seattle for his connecting flight when he received word something was wrong.
Tom had complained of a massive headache while talking on the phone with his wife Sandra. Soon after, a family friend found Tom lying in the restroom and called 911.
When Rob arrived in Alaska a few hours later the news wasn’t good. “He had a brain swell that wouldn’t stop bleeding.,” Rob said. “Eventually it would crush his brain stem.”
Rob said when he first arrived at the hospital his dad perked up. He had movement on his right side and he was able to squeeze his hand when prompted.
The next night was rough for Rob’s dad, and the following morning he had a different breathing pattern.
“The doctors said it was the end of life breathing pattern for brain trauma patients,” Rob said.
That’s when doctors told Rob his father only had a short time to live.
An hour later, Rob was sitting with Tom. His father opened his eyes and he looked directly at his son.
“He had opened his eyes before, but we couldn’t tell if he could see,” Rob said. “He opened his eyes and I said, ‘Dad, is that you? He said, ‘Yep.’ He gave me a hug. He did the same thing with my mom and gave her a hug.”
Tom did other things, like move his legs, hands, and had feeling in his toes.
A CT scan revealed the brain swelling and bleeding had stopped. He was flown to a hospital in Anchorage, underwent a couple surgeries and spent the next 12 days in an ICU bed.
Tom went from having a day or two to live to a neurologist telling his family he is expected to make a full recovery in nine to 12 months.
“Definitely my dad is back. It’s definitely a miracle. We feel very fortunate in that respect. The doctors and nurses can’t explain why my dad’s brain stopped swelling and bleeding. Now we’re on a journey to get him home.”
A helping hand
After the family discovered that the insurance wouldn’t cover Tom’s mediflight to Merced, some family friends insisted on helping out. A GoFundme page was set up by friends Tom and Sue McCall and Rosa Diaz-Smith with a goal of $60,000.
Word quickly spread on social media as over 200 people donated a total of $65,320 in just over 24 hours.
“I think he affected a lot of people’s lives as a mentor, teacher, counselor, principal, church person, a member of a city club,” said former Dos Palos football coach Mike Sparks, who was an assistant coach under Tom Scheidt. “He’s always been in a situation to help.”
Donations flooded in from people in Merced, Dos Palos and Sanger.
“For me, Tom was a mentor,” Sparks said. “He was a big influence for me. It was my dad and Tom, the first two men who mentored and contributed to who I am after all these years.”
Paul Hogue, Merced High athletic director, thought it was telling to see a lot of former Merced High students on the list of people who donated.
“It wasn’t just teachers, it was students too,” Hogue said. “I think it’s pretty amazing. It’s kind of who Tom is, he would be the one doing that for someone else. He would organize it, set it up and getting it going. It shows how many people in the community love and appreciate him.”
Rob gets emotional when he thinks about all the people who stepped up to help bring his dad home.
“I was brought up with the idea that you work through everything you do in life,” Rob said.
“When circumstances come up, you work through it. You do everything you can, you sell your house, you cash-in on your investments and we were prepared to do that. I’m pleased the community has helped us through this process. I think people did it to not only help us, but to participate in the celebration of my dad.”
“My dad is in a different situation now. Now he has people taking care of him. For so many years he was the one taking care of others, including my family. He’s been the rock for my mom, he’s been the rock for my family and he’s been the rock for my brother’s family.”
Rob isn’t sure when his dad will make the flight home. They are waiting for a bed to be ready in a care facility.
“It’s getting close,” Rob said. “The road is not going to be easy. Every 24 hours we see new things. It’s pretty awesome. We totally believe in a full recovery for my dad. We don’t feel God would heal him half way.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2020 at 6:16 AM.
