Thomas Hughes

1944 - 2026

Thomas Hughes

June 19, 1944 - February 23, 2026

State College, Pennsylvania - Tom Hughes left this world doing something he loved – walking his dog, Mac, on a snowy winter morning. Exceptionally bright and steady by nature, Tom was known for his distinguished career, his love of the outdoors, and-most importantly-his devotion to raising his three daughters on his own with unwavering love, strength, and dedication.

Tom was born and raised in Windber, Pennsylvania, where he excelled academically and athletically, while delighting in hijinks with his friends from the 12th Street AC. Despite his cerebral nature, he loved being the life of the party, creating fun wherever he went. At his core, Tom identified as a tough kid from a coal town, even though a tender and deeply caring heart lived just beneath the surface. He was the son of John Coleman and Margaret Stevenson Hughes and the younger brother of Jack, Bill, and Jean, all of whom preceded him in death.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1966 and began his career in engineering at Scott Paper Company in Maine-a state that remained meaningful to him throughout his life. Tom returned to Penn State to earn his master's degree and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. He specialized in thermodynamics, heat engines, heat transfer, and combustion.

Tom led a long and distinguished career at Penn State's Applied Research Lab, where he was a recognized expert in advanced energy and power systems for underwater, terrestrial, and space applications. His research guided the development of multiple methods for converting heat into power, using sources ranging from conventional fuels to nuclear energy. He served on numerous committees, including the NASA High Energy Power and Propulsion Team, the Department of Defense Energy Security Task Force, the Penn State Energy Task Force, and the Science Council for the Center for Space Nuclear Research – to name a few. He was also a member of the advisory board for the Institute for Nuclear Energy Science and Technology at Idaho National Laboratory.

Tom was a member of the graduate faculty in the Mechanical Engineering department at Penn State and served as a committee chair for many Ph.D. and master's students. He held four patents, six invention disclosures, and published more than 150 papers. Tom was passionate about engineering and found great joy in doing work he truly loved. From theory, to design, to application, Tom was an engineer who was as comfortable presenting innovative technologies to Navy Admirals as he was on a submarine test site. We suspect his favorite place in ARL was the machine shop, and a close second was the faculty locker room at Rec Hall at noon. He retired in 2012 as a Senior Scientist with emeritus status.

Equal to his love of science and engineering was his love of the outdoors, especially the ridges and valleys of Pennsylvania, the Pacific Northwest, and the Adirondack mountains. He spent countless hours in nature-hiking, skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, and fly fishing, a passion he learned as a young boy from his father. He loved every outdoor adventure and braved any kind of weather; nothing stood in his way. In his younger years, he was an avid backpacker and delighted in recounting stories from trips through the mountain ranges of Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia.

What truly defined Tom was the role he was born for: being a father to his three daughters, Jean, Christine, and Beth. Tom was the original "girl dad," long before it was something men were openly admired for. Tom believed that nightly family dinners, with spirited conversation and well defended arguments, formed the backbone of our family unit. We will forever miss Tom at our dinner table. He was strong, steady, warm, and loving. He never wavered. He was a safe harbor in a storm and a safety net when times were uncertain. To have Tom in your corner was something to behold.

His love and dedication naturally extended to his sons-in-law, Tommy Songer and Chris Avery, and to his five grandchildren: Elizabeth and Ben Songer; Meg and O'Neal Avery; and Shane Meyer. Throughout his life, Tom taught all who knew him the value of family, the exhilaration of adventure and travel, and the importance of independence, curiosity, and thoughtful reflection.

Tom was exceptional in every way- a truly unique individual. He will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered by all who knew him. To honor Tom, hug your dog, take a walk in the woods, pour a scotch, or have a long, meaningful conversation with a loved one over a cup of Irish tea.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to: ClearWater Conservancy, 2555 North Atherton Street, State College, PA 16803 or to the Academic Excellence Fund in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State. Please make checks payable to Penn State University and note XCDME on the memo line or make an online donation to XCDME at raise.psu.edu.