THOMAS I. MYERS

MYERS THOMAS IRVIN MYERS Aged 87, passed away peacefully at home in Silver Spring, MD, on May 9, 2015. Tom was born and raised in Topeka, KS, by his late parents, J. Arthur and Lois Myers, with his older, predeceased siblings, Barbara Brent, John Jr., and James. He attended Yale on a 4-year scholarship, graduating in 1948, and earned his Masters in 1951 and PhD in Research Psychology in 1952 from the University of Iowa. In 1953 he wed Martha Budde, was drafted and stationed in Fort Ord, CA. He was assigned to study brain-washing, the presumed cause of soldiers defecting to Korea. When his tour of duty was over, he continued working with the military, primarily studying how to identify personnel who could perform well in extreme environments, such as submarines or the arctic. Moving to Bethesda, MD, his research led to further examination of sensory deprivation, effects of monotony on vigilance, and neurological aspects of meditation. In 1968, Tom met and married Jane Koukal Hook. An automobile accident in 1980 curtailed his career. He applied his research skills to finding furniture that would allow him to sit and lie comfortably despite his back injuries and used the information to found Sensible Seating, the first such retail establishment. In addition to professional associations, Tom was an active member of the Bethesda Society of Friends, the Riderwood Quakers, and the Association for Research and Enlightenment. He greatly loved music of all kinds, from jazz to opera, and played bass clarinet in the Rockville Concert Band. He enjoyed travel and photography, landscape design and bonzai, and had a great eye for interior decorating. Tom is survived by Jane, his beloved wife of 47 years, and remembered with love by the children they raised together: Lee, Geoff, Mary, Vicki, Beth, Dan and Charlie; as well as their children's spouses: Henry Sakowski, Andy Rutherford, Cliff Laufer, and Nancy Macklin Hook; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his wife Martha in 1966, his granddaughter Leslie in 2009, and his son Eric in 2013. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Riderwood Village, 3110 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD, on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riderwood Benevolent Care Fund or the Rockville Concert Band.A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Riderwood Village, 3110 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD, on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riderwood Benevolent Care Fund or the Rockville Concert Band.