Thomas J. Holdych

Best proff ever!

Cousin tom was not only family,but a friend. I'm so glad he played the horn louder than me. He was able to drown out my horrible notes.He never really argued with anyone but he always seemed to get his point across. He truly knew the meaning of tact. Tom, I will miss you dearly.

I was in Professor Holdych's contracts class in '72-'73. That first year of the law school was a truly unique and fascinating learning experience for all of us-students and faculty alike. It didn't take long to realize he was an excellent professor, dedicated to to his profession and to his students, as well as to the success of the new school. He was a master at the socratic method. I still remember many of the principles of law that he taught us. I'm sure that upon his passing there was a...

Professor Holdych was, at all times, a gentleman. True, he nailed us with his piercing questions, but it was never personal and it was always to enlighten. he stretched my mind and enlivened my understanding of the law and how to think, not abstractly, but concretely and logically. I have thought of him often. I miss him.

I met Tom while we served together for several years on the Seattle Union Gospel Mission's Oversight Committee for its legal services ministry, now known as Open Door Legal Services. Despite his stature and "seniority", Tom was always gracious, self-effacing, and submissive to the will of the team. He was invariably considerate and kind-hearted--the consummate gentleman. He was and will remain an example to his family, friends, colleagues, and students, and to those, like me, who were...

Professor Holdych was an amazing professor and introduction to my law school career in 1989. Oh, the anxiety of being called on by him! He was unflappable, always extremely prepared, entertaining (Contracts, who knew?), and his positive feedback fed my bruised little 1L ego until this day. My sincere condolences to his family for your loss, and the UPS/Seattle University School of Law community.

I think about Professor Holdych and his classes often, as learning to use and love Socratic method has been instructive and fun in many areas of my career after law school. He was always amazing and will be missed. Tracy Thomas, SU Law '95

April 29, 2011
Tom and Carolyn, I never thanked you enough for the kindness that you showed me by letting me reside for a while with you and the boys back in 1975. Your example of true Christian love has never been forgotten by me. I treasure the Friday night Bible studies we had at the Noch's house. Those were trying times for me and you were an anchor for my soul. Tom, you were a good professor even if I did not understand where you were going in my Contracts and Constitutional Law...