Thomas Raymond "Tom" Kearns

Tom, I only met you once, at a function pertaining to one of Merle's reelection campaigns, but it was immediately clear that you and she were two halves of one whole. My own parents were married for more than 63 years, so I had a good example of this! Now you and Merle are reunited forever in Heaven and must surely be joyful as well as forever young! I read your brother, Jack Kearns', memories of the two of you growing up. It's clear you had a fine childhood, too!

After college, Tom and I went our different ways and were separated to over 1,000 or 10,000 miles apart. Relationships were limited to birthday cards and holiday calls.
I do however have warm memories of Tom and I growing up in Brecksville, Ohio.
In the winter, we would rush home from school and grab our skates and homemade hockey sticks to get in a game before dark.
In the summer we played baseball on a vacant lot where we built a complete Diamond, back stop and all.

Tom was a very good friend and co-worker. I admired his ability to get along well with everyone. He was a critical member of the Robbins and Myers team. Tom was a valuable mentor to me...and he taught me a lot. I remember his "famous" St. Patrick's Day parties...the comradery and singing were memorial. He leaves a legacy for those of us of the R & M group.