Thomas Charles Volkening

Since junior high we shared a love of science fiction literature as well as the outdoors. I would have enjoyed sharing and discussing these things following his retirement. I was very saddened by his passing. I am glad we got to meet again at our 50th HS reunion. Rest in peace, Tom.
-Tom Warsinske

I´ll truly will miss his Facebook posts about his family and growing up. The photographs he shared of his life and times and the new photos he posted of the beauty of nature. He was a gentleman and kind to all at the MSU Library

Tom was a classmate through junior high and high school. We shared interests in science, nature, and science fiction stories. Tom had a keen mind and a broad scope of interest, a rare quality. I was looking forward to his gardening posts this spring. His passing came as a big surprise given that he had recently posted Thanksgiving photos. My condolences to his family.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Tom's passing. You have my deepest sympathies and condolences. I worked professionally with Tom through the Michigan Academic Libraries Association, and as a new engineering librarian his wealth of knowledge and experience was invaluable. In addition to being incredibly smart and accomplished, he was also kind, helpful, and so so funny! I will miss Tom very much, and I know many others feel the same way.

Tom's family, you have my deepest sympathies. I knew Tom professionally, especially through the MiALA STEM Interest Group (I was a science librarian). He was kind and an incredibly knowledgeable librarian who loved to talk and tell stories at librarian meetings and functions. He will be missed by many, many people.

My deepest condolences to Tom's family. Tom helped me many times over the years with extremely hard reference questions. I am a science & engineering librarian (Kettering University), and Tom was an encyclopedia of knowledge. I got to know him better in MiALA's STEM Interest Group and know he will be greatly missed.

Tom was a colleague and a friend. We were science branch librarians at MSU and later cubicle mates at the main library. He became part of our lunch group and there will always be an empty seat at the table. He was funny, smart, great story teller, and always sharing the abundance of his garden and trees. He will be missed greatly.