Thomas Michael Lutgen

Thomas Michael Lutgen
Thomas "Tom" Michael Lutgen died on Friday June 27, 2025, in Palm Springs, CA, at the age
of 78. Born on July 18, 1946, he was the son of Dorothy Moore Lutgen and Albin Henry Lutgen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his partner/husband of 43 years, Robert W.
Conover, Jr. He leaves behind his loving partner and spouse of eleven years, John W. Miller, of
Palm Springs, his sister Patricia A. Lutgen of Riverside, sister-in-law Marybeth McKenna of Palm
Springs, and numerous cousins throughout the United States and Europe. Tom graduated from
Ramona High School, Riverside, CA. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the
University of California, Riverside. He received a Master's degree in Library Science from the
University of Southern California. He began his library career working at the Riverside public
library as a Library Aide. After receiving his Master's degree, Tom worked as a librarian at the
Santa Ana and City of Commerce public libraries. He joined the Los Angeles Times in 1980 and
served as Reference and Research Supervisor until he was promoted to Director of the Editorial
Library. He was a member of the American Libraries Association, and while serving as chair of
the Special Libraries Association, Tom received an award from the business news division. After
leaving the LA Times, he moved to Maui and began working at the Hawaii Business Research
Library in Kihei, HI. Upon returning to the mainland, Tom worked at the Palm Springs and
Rancho Mirage public libraries. After retirement, he became a volunteer at St. Paul's in the
Desert Episcopal Church in Palm Springs, CA, where he created a library for the use of adults
and children of the parish. Tom will be remembered and cherished by his family and friends for
his work ethic, kind heart and infectious laugh. We celebrate his life and legacy, but mourn his
passing. Memorial donations may be made to the American Literacy Foundation,
https//worldliteracyfoundation.org, the Lewy Body Dementia Association, https//lbda.org, or a
charity of your choice. Inurnment to be private. Memorial service date will be posted, in the near
future, at the Wiefels website, https://www.wiefels.com. We would like to acknowledge the thoughtful, loving assistance of: MS Care LLC, http://www.mscaregiving@gmail.com, and Bella Terra Hospice, http:www.bellaterracare.com.