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FUNERAL HOME

Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park

7209 Glenwood Ave

Raleigh, North Carolina

Thomas Rose Obituary

Raleigh, N.C. - Thomas Hadley Rose died Monday October 10, 2011 in Raleigh, N.C. He is survived by his wife Patricia; daughter Margaret-Jane; son-in-law Scott; son Patrick; and grandson Alexander Scott Lofty. Tom and Patti were married on September 9, 1967 in Woodstock, Virginia.
Tom was born in North Carolina on August 17, 1942 to Howard Thomas Rose and Bergie Glenn Rose. At the age of 2 his family moved to Virginia Beach, Va. where Tom grew up. He graduated from Frederick Military School and then Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was a member of the Army Corps of Cadets in I Company.
Tom worked in the family restaurant business in Virginia Beach, the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board in Richmond, Va., and EPA in Athens before moving to Raleigh to co-found Eastern Technical Associates. Tom dedicated his life to the protection of the environment and worked to improve air quality all around the world. Tom was an inventor, an educator, a businessman, a mentor, beloved husband and father.
Tom was a man of many interests, history the ocean, politics, shipwrecks, optics, photography, target shooting, art, gardening and bonsai creation. His step grandfather, who was a frogman in World War I, taught him to scuba dive at the age of 9. Tom pursued this interest throughout his life and shared it with many others. His favorite spot to dive was Roatan, a small island off the coast of Honduras. He said he would never see everything there was to see there. In his younger years he enjoyed skydiving, skiing, rock climbing and spelunking. He enjoyed building and firing rockets from an early age that persisted throughout his life. He was an active member of the rebreather community and helped advance the science thereof.
The Memorial Service will be held October 28, 2011 at the Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, N.C.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear Tom's trademark attire, Hawaiian shirts.
Donations to either www.roatanmarinepark.com or www.seashepherd.com may be made in Tom's name.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Athens Banner-Herald on Oct. 22, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Rose

19 Entries

Steven Skolochenko, VPI '64

October 30, 2011

Tom was a classmate, roommate and friend. though it was a few years ago that I last spent time with Tom it seemed no time had passed. He got me into SCUBA. I fondly recall a week in July '62 that we spent in Nagshead, singing, drinking beer, and talking about electrical connections. What fertile mind he had. He was a problem solver. It was a privelege to have known him.

Rob and Penny Bradish

October 27, 2011

Patti, Patrick & Janie,
My, and my families, heart go out to you during this difficult time. We feel honored to have known Tom and I will forever miss our lunches, hours in the Wizard laire, dive trips and long discussions about business, diving, music and family. Tom had the special gift, both a student, always looking to learn, and a teacher, always willing to share. There is a space in my heart and he will be forever missed.

Tom-1972

Bob Beasley

October 27, 2011

I worked with Tom in the early years of the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board. I had never met anyone so inventive, and have many times since found myself thinking "I wonder how Tom Rose would have done..." The world is a less fun place without him. Bob Beasley

October 27, 2011

I will miss Tom greatly. He was always a wonderful person to be in the same room with and added so much to wherever he was....his uniqueness, friendly manner and acceptance of people had a big impact on me. I felt he was a true friend and will miss him more than words can convey. I deeply regret not diving in Roatan with him now...I was lucky enough to be invited and couldn't make it work. My heart goes out to his family who had the good fortune/blessing of having Tom in their lives on a daily basis....all prayers and blessings are sent their way. Antoinette Chartier

October 25, 2011

Patti and Family
Please know that my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss of Tom.
Peace be with you.
Donnie Pifer

October 25, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a pillar of excellence in SES and such a wonderful person. Tom was so knowledgeable, entertaining, and perhaps above all, admired by all who knew him. He will most definitely be missed and never forgotten. Richard Russell

John & Eileen Rosenquest

October 24, 2011

Hi Patty and all the Rose family and all the extended ETA family,

Tom was jolly pioneer in the modern world who liked to put technology to use for both work and fun. Always had a kind word and a humorous outlook on life and lived it to the fullest. He took time to know and appreciate the people around him and really knew how to spin a yarn. Tom is one of those rare people who could talk with experience about just about any topic you could bring up. We will miss him but his legacy will bring fond memories to all of us who were privileged to call him friend.

Bob Finken

October 22, 2011

Patti and Family,
Please accept my condolensces during this difficult time for all of you. Please try to find comfort in knowing that so many of us share in your love for Tom and although we will miss him, he will always remain in our memories. Since I met him in 1986 at an SES conference in Sky Valley Georgia, Tom has never ceased to amaze me. His inteligence and love of people combined to make him a natual leader, a position he filled with style and grace.
His contributions to the Source Evaluation Society, continuing through the QSTI examination program as only one example, have and will continue to make so many of us better scientist and better people. My thoughts are with you all now.

Martin Adomait & Doug Eichler

October 21, 2011

We had the pleasure of meeting with Tom thru his consulting role for a very short but intense time approximately a year ago. Tom brought quick wit, intelligence, and inspiration to us, as we are sure he had to many others. We shared many memororable times discussing technical innovation, and his passion for magic & diving. We are extremely saddened at his passing, and we offer our condolences to Patti, Janie, and Patrick. Tom will be missed by all.

Walter Smith

October 21, 2011

Jacque and I have known Tom for over 30 years but this past year I had the privilege of working closely with Tom on a project. I got to know a new side of Tom. We spent many hours sharing our past, present and ideas of the future. Not only was Tom an entrepreneur, businessman, environmentalist, father, grandfather, husband, friend, teacher, magician, diver, inventor, and a story teller, he also had compassion for his fellow man. He did this with humor and heart. There was always a chuckle near Tom. We will remember him for how he enriched the lives of everyone around him.
We will miss Tom. He will not be forgotten.
Walt & Jacque Smith

Robert Mann

October 21, 2011

Tom made his living in black and white, but he was Mr. Colors in many, many ways. He was my "main man" and he visited Austin frequently. I learned much from him and he shared his knowledge freely. When he accepted a Navy Seal hat from me last March, his past, his smile and his joy were shining through. Thanks for sharing Tom with the stack test community.

Lesley Sloss

October 21, 2011

Tom was one of the first people to welcome me into the SES meetings and was the major reason I returned year after year. He was just such fun to be with - we never stopped laughing. I swear the guy was 16 years old his whole life - so full of fun, energy and mischief. He will be sorely missed by those of us on this side of the pond. Huge hugs, The Slosses

Peter and Gail Westlin

October 20, 2011

There are so many wonderful things that can be said about Tom. Peter and I will remember him for his laughter, generosity, inventive and innovative ideas, humorous stories about and with so many people he knew, love for his family and his willingness always to help his friends. Tom loved a party and being the center of attention and he loved his toys. He is a man that will live on in our memories and for a long time in our hearts.

Don Smith

October 20, 2011

Just a note to say I am very sorry for your loss and the loss of a very loved man. Tom always seemed to have a word for everyone. I had not seen him in many years although I remember him well from the years I attended SES meetings in the past. He will be greatly missed.

Lara Autry

October 19, 2011

Hi Patti! I have really missed seeing you at the SES Meetings over the last few years, but have been grateful to still see Tom at a meeting from time-to-time and most recently in May at the TCEQ Trade Fair. I was very saddened to learn of Tom's passing and will always treasure the memories I have of his funny stories, laughter, colorful shirts, and phenominal way of teaching - at times when you even least expected it. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I hope you and the family can find comfort in all the beautiful memories that you will have of Tom forever. Take care, Lara Autry (US EPA)

Al Siffer

October 17, 2011

I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Tom's death. Since 1992, I had the please of working with Tom, and he was always so helpful in passing on his knowledge and experiences. He will be sorely missed. Please accept our condolences. Al, Lara, Brandon and David Siffer

October 17, 2011

What we remember most about Tom is his bright Hawaien shirts, his magic tricks and his love of his family & life. Diving with him was always great fun. His knowledge of the sea inspired us to explore more of what he dearly loved. Tom was a wonderful friend who will live in our hearts forever.
Yves, Bren, Cindy, Peyton, Xavier, Cristy, August and Phoenix

October 17, 2011

Tom: a dear friend and classmate who will always be well remembered by those fortunate enough to have known him.
Dale Webb

Douglas & Polly Pugh

October 17, 2011

Hi Patti, Janie, Patrick, and all of the rest of the Rose family,

We cannot express how saddened we were to learn of your tragic and unexpected loss. Please know that all the Pugh family is thinking of you and remembering all the great times that we have enjoyed over the past 54 years with Tom and all of his family. We have lost a treasured friend, but he will never be forgotten.

Polly, Doug, Randy, and Doug III Pugh

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