I cannot believe it has been a year today since Tom left us here on the earth so suddenly with such a vast tear in the fabric of the world where he had been. But every day since his death his way of being in the world as a lawyer and a human has inhabited me in a new and more powerful way than I think I was able to experience while he was still his inimitable unstoppable self here with us. So much love to Tom's kids and siblings and all of everyone who loved him and thinks of him so much today. I personally picture him baling hay and feeding corn to his beloved baby cows, which if it annoyed him that I insisted on calling them that he never did let on. Love to everyone in Tom's name, love to all the world; and everyone vote like your life depends on it because he would have been the first to say that it does, yours and all of ours.

Words are totally inadequate to express my deepest condolences and sympathies to Tom’s family, friends, and colleagues. Tom was such a wonderful person—generous, kindhearted, and loving. The last time I saw Tom was in the fall of 2019 when I was in Washington, DC. We had a lovely lunch together, caught up on each other’s lives, and reminisced about old times.

I’m heartbroken that my dear friend is gone, but he will always live on in my heart. Tom was my guiding star and I will miss him greatly. He played a significant and integral role in building the National Employment Lawyers Association’s Washington DC Office and its sister organization, The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy. I was the Executive Director of both organizations; Tom was a longtime NELA member, Chair of the NELA/Institute Joint Fundraising Committee, and a founding board member of The Institute.

Generously sharing his expertise in organizational development and management, we spent countless hours brainstorming about strategic planning, fundraising, organizational sustainability and more. An unsung hero, Tom did so much for NELA and The Institute, and neither would be the vibrant and thriving organizations they are today without his incredible vision, generosity, and contributions.

I have many fond memories of Tom. For example, he would greet me with "Hello Ms. Chaw, what can I do for you today?" whenever I called him. (I'm sure he regretted asking that question from time to time.) Our playful banters at Institute Board meetings reminded some of our colleagues of "The Bickersons." And, I will always treasure the wonderful conversations we had over the years about our families. Tom was very proud of his children and loved them all so much. Whenever he talked about them Tom would have the biggest smile on his face. His children were the light of his life.

Tom touched thousands of lives as a lawyer, teacher, mentor and friend—and I am fortunate that he touched mine. I will miss his hearty laugh, his big bear hugs, and his kind and gentle soul.

I met Tom in 1970 when we both started as freshmen at The College of Wooster. Between the cowboy boots and his sparkling eyes I was smitten. We became fast friends and spent the next four years hanging out with a group that simply enjoyed each other’s company. A favorite activity was leaving campus and walking to Millers Pond, now known as Christmas Run Park. These excursions gave us the opportunity to attempt to answer life’s big questions. I don’t remember how many answers we came up with, but the discussions were thoughtful, engaging and allowed for many points of view. While we wondered about the future and where life would take us, the issues of the day cast a shadow that at the time seemed overwhelming – Vietnam, Kent State, and Nixon.
Tom knew how to be a friend and always had a great sense of humor. He loved pursuing his history major and appreciated the professors who challenged him and expanded his learning. This was impressive and encouraged me to be a better student. It partially worked.
Tom had the ability to understand people and the nuances that make up relationships. While the rest of us were struggling to grasp the “why” of things, Tom had empathy and wisdom which made him a role model. There are many stories that serve as examples, but one touched me deeply. Early in our senior year I became engaged to a fellow student. I missed the writing on the wall and the engagement was broken off. I was heartbroken and inconsolable. I called Tom and he came over after a late factory shift to be with me. We talked for hours. He listened, I cried, and his only concern was for me. That night he slept on the floor so I would not be alone. Even at the age of 21, Tom demonstrated great caring for those around him.
My friendship with Tom endured long after college and the last time I saw him was May 2018. I was travelling to North Carolina to see my daughter and I included a stop at his farm, which I had never seen before. I was enthralled with the beauty of the area and how much it meant to Tom. He was exactly where he wanted to be as he combined his two passions:
practicing law with being a farmer. His dedication to his land, the cattle and his neighbors was wonderful to witness. While I thought the cattle needed names (an idea he rejected) I will always remember how happy he was.
I miss him.
Carolyn Gilbert