Growing up in the Midwest, Tom earned degrees in Math/Physics from St.
Joseph's College and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. In 1958, he moved with his new wife Elizabeth Just to a new life in Florida. He spent the first of 9 yrs at Cape Canaveral on the Hangar Checkout Team of the Douglas Aircraft Thor Intermediate range Ballistic Missile. He then "crossed the street" to General Dynamics where he worked on the Launch Team of the Atlas ICBM as Autopilot/Guidance System Engineer. He witnessed a lot of history as he worked on the lunar & planetary probe missions and the Mercury & Gemini-target manned missions ending up as Asst Site Manager of Electrical/Electronic Systems on one of six launch sites.

After a cross country move with his growing family, he settled in San Diego, spending the remainder of his career at General Dynamics. He eventually led the 45 man Quality Engineering Dept. on all their production programs:
- DC-10/MD-11 & Space Shuttle fuselages
- F-111 & F-16 component structures
- Atlas & Centaur production & launch Operations
- Tomahawk Cruise Missile components
- Nuclear fusion reactor & superconducting magnet components Scope of their work included engineering requirements compliance verification, inspection requirements & methods definition and all non-destructive testing techniques & procedures (radiographic, ultrasonic, etc).

After negotiating a 34 year career without being saddled with a computer, he retired at age 57 and immediately bought one!

While Tom dedicated his career to Space & Aviation, he is an even more devoted Husband, Father & man of God. Proudly married to Betty for 59 years, they enjoy 5 children, 14 Grandchildren, & 9 Great-Grandchildren. They remain in San Diego enjoying a restful retirement after many decades of travelling the world.