Thomas C. Hickman

I loved Tom Hickman as a client, friend and good hearted spirit. I always loved hearing his voice on the other end of the phone or voicemail or seeing his name pop up in my inbox. I always knew the interaction would make me think, laugh and push the bounds of what others thought could not be done. I also knew that regardless of the ask, Tom's heart was always in the right place and his mind was trying to create. Tom will be missed but his legacy will remain.

I was very sorry to learn of Tom´s passing in November. I met Tom at the beginning of his interest in developing the empty land in the Kellytown neighborhood. He was ebullient, open, and quite persuasive in all his dealings with the neighborhood residents. Tom mellowed a bit over the course of the development process, and I think realized in the end that a collaborative approach was, as he told me on more than one occasion, "enlightened self-interest." He wanted to live in a safe, beautiful,...

I can hardly believe the blessing I had this summer in my very old age to be with Tom as he lay in our yard near our Cape Cod pond. He asked me about Bus, my father, and his dad, my little brother Tommy, whom I adored and helped raise. Tommy survived flying in war off a carrier, but died young in a freak accident. He left such a caring family, who took a still happy Tom to Scotland after Cape Cod. I love and hug you. Auntie Grandma Sunny Davidson

Tom, I will not forget your bravery in giving me the joy of your Cape Cod visit last summer, coming so far while gravely ill, and lying down by our pond to share family stories. I so loved your father, my baby brother Tom. I love all of you, gathered in Charlottesville. Auntie Grandma Sunny

I had the honor and privilege to know and collaborate with Tom during the design planning of EcoVillage Charlottesville, as a friend and colleague. Tom's noble ideology, dedication, and attention to detail was an invaluable contribution to our team and the greater community at large. I will miss our lively discussions as I wish Tom's family my heartfelt sympathy.

I met Tom on a job I was running in Haiti. Always a smile and kind words. I shared with a few of the Haitian crew members he worked with and they are "praying that his soul is uplifted to the heavens". We will plant trees here in his honor.

I was a classmate of Tom´s at Darden and loved his humor and his ambitious ideas. Sending my condolences to the whole family.