Thomas Hendrix

It was always evident that Tom walked the moral high ground.

Like countless others, a collision with Tom changed forever my trajectory. In 1981-82, I took Physical and Historical Geology mostly to get a GVSC scholarship, then 100% abandoned biology upon hearing Tom's (and Bill's) passion. It was only through Tom's connections at IU that I was able to attend the Field Camp in MT, then be accepted in the graduate program. In Bloomington, I met my wife of now 34 years, marrying at Beck Chapel. So many connections, and so many heartwarming memories of...

Tom was my undergraduate advisor at Grand Valley State University back when it was "Colleges". He was instrumental to instilling in me a healthy enthusiasm for all things Geology and guiding me along the path to graduation and graduate school. He also helped me secure a summer field internship with the U.S. Geological Survey, in Glacier National Park back in 1982. I parlayed that internship into nearly four decades working for the USGS. Thanks Tom!! I did wonder, while Tom was teaching...

Years ago, during a discussion with a classmate at was then "Grand Valley State Colleges," we both agreed it was Tom Hendrix that drew us in to become geology majors. Dr. Hendrix was a solid professional, both as a subject expert and dedicated teacher. This picture is from an Ozark-Ouachita field trip circa 1980. Often, people think geology is about rocks. I remember him telling us it was about Earth history. The rocks tell the story. When that "soaks in" and it's understood, it may seem like...

I was touched when Tom once gave testimony that he had adopted the Hyde "family" as his own.

I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was my undergraduate and graduate advisor at Indiana University, and I was privileged to take several courses from him. He was an amazing instructor and a great person. Tom made a positive impact on many of us, and he will be missed. I am adding a photo taken on the undergraduate spring field trip that he led through the Appalachians in the spring of 1968.