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Tom Bullock Obituary
Tom Bullock passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on June 26 while touring in Hvar, Croatia. He was doing two of his favorite things, traveling and swimming. A beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many he will always be sorely missed.
Thomas Lee Bullock was born the second son of Frank and Ruth Bullock on October 2 1937 in Alameda CA. Tom graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland Ca in the class of 1955. He was still in contact with many friends from there and served on the reunion committee.
He attended Stanford University for one year before entering West Point Military Academy graduating in the Class of 1960. While in the Army he also attended UCLA and received a masters degree in Astrodynamics. It was a family trip to Clear Lake CA where Tom met Pamela Royer whom he later married. It was while they were stationed in Germany that their children were born. First twins Monica and Naomi, then later son Nigel. Tom continued to swim regularly in Clear Lake with his children and grandchildren.
Tom leaves behind his three children, four grandchildren, and one great grandson. Tom resigned his post in the Army during the Vietnam war to be closer to his children following his divorce from Pam. He began his career at West Valley College in 1969 as Planetarium director and instructor of Astronomy. He taught there for 29 years and made many life long friendships through his passion for the stars, telescopes and photography. He would lead many all night star parties on Fremont Peak to share these experiences with friends and students. Tom retired in 1998.
Tom got his first camera with one hundred ice cream wrappers and one dollar at the age of nine. His lifelong passion for photography never waned. His camera and he would go on to travel the world, visiting every continent and many many countries pursuing interesting, beautiful and exotic subject material to photograph. He hiked to the base camps of the highest peaks in the world, and trekked all over the UK seeking stone circles. Tom also served on the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz and the Corralitos Artist Collective. Tom shared what he was doing through exhibits and shows, he wrote his own textbook, and made an interactive DVD of Stone Circles. He also participated in Santa Cruz Open Studios art tour.
Always the optimist, Toms car wore personalized plates BE PLUS positive for over thirty years. He loved a lively discussion or debate on any variety of subjects including science, religion, philosophy or politics. He made friends wherever he traveled and continued to have contact with people all over the world. There will be a celebration of Tom's life including a slide show and potluck on August 28th 12:30 PM at the Barn in Roaring Camp in Felton. Anyone who knew Tom is invited to attend. Please bring food and drinks to share.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tom Bullock
Ray Albin
June 19, 2024
Tom Bullock was one of the two greatest professors I had in college. His enthusiasm and creative presentations in the planetarium I still remember today. As a result of his class I have maintained a lifelong interest in Astronomy.
Thank you, Dr.Bullock.
Rest in Peace.
San Jose
Beverly Purdy
April 23, 2022
I´m so sorry I just found out. I met Tom in ~1975.
Last saw him in 1997
We´d sporadically been in touch but both had a warm spot in each other´s hearts.
Shocked to discover that he´s crossed over. I miss him and I know you all do too. Belated sympathy...
Phillip Greene
March 31, 2022
Sorry to hear of his passing. I was a student at WVC sometime around '88 he inspired a life-long interest in Astronomy. I can vividy recall that first day in class when the lights went down and "Dream Weaver" began to play "I just closed my eyes again...". In the darkness, the projector rose from its garage as the intro plays "Trying to take away my worries of today and leave tomorrow behind" Then the globe began to turn along Wright says "Uaoo oO Dream Weaver" and right when the drums roll down to the hit on the high hat...Mr Bullock tripped the switch...Suddenly...STARS (or should I say light waves) "I believe you can get me through the night..." Little did he know that song was a long favored staple in my older brothers record collection.
On his office door was posted a sign that read "Space is the Place"
Mr. Bullock gave me a great sense of connection that has long filled my senses and I will remember him for that--as long as my mind fills some dimension within it. His was the one class I'd not skip...even when I hear other waves call from over the hill.
Thanks Tom.
Jennifer Wills
September 7, 2011
I only met Tom once at his Open Studio but was so very impressed with his photography. He was truly inspiring. I will always think of him when I look at his "Green Girl" photo which I bought and have in my home.
Gayl (Scheatzle) Henson
August 30, 2011
Thomas my friend my pal. You were always there for me. I miss you soooo much. You have always been such an inspiration to all. I will miss your stories and your enthusiasm for life and the human spirit. You will always have a special place in my heart. Life will not be the same without you. Until we meet again....... Love you bunches.
Carol Rhoads
August 27, 2011
I met Tom when I was hired in the Science/Math Division as the Senior Office Coordinator in 1995. We were friends immediately. He worked very hard as the Astronomy instructor and taught many, many students. He also invited grade schools to bring groups of children over and he gave them shows in the planetarium. After Tom left, he occasionally stopped by the office to say Hi. I also saw him at some Department parties. The last time I saw him was last year at the Rotary Art Show. I had seen he was selling his photos and wanted to stop by which we did. He was always smiling and just an all around great guy. He gave me one of his photos. It was a photo of a penguin. I have it hanging up in my family room. Just this week, a friend of my husband was over and saw the photo. I told him about Tom. It's so sad that he is gone, but he did live a full life with all he accomplished and introduced many students to astronomy, both young and old. To his family: I cannot come tomorrow to the memorial, but I want you to know that Tom was such a wonderful person and he loved you all very much.
Carol Rhoads
West Valley College Senior Office Coordinator
Bob and Suzy McKinnon
August 25, 2011
Well, Tommy, longtime friend, I thought this was one race you would win, depending, I guess, on how you look at it. I have been thinking of you lately, every day, memories of your visit up here not too long ago, you got to see our place, meet Suzy, our walks around Montana and the canoe ride down the Missouri above Craig.
And then I visited you out under the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains, where the sun never shines because of the shade of those giant trees, kind of a shock to somebody who lives on the high plains of Montana, and we went to the aquarium in Monterey and the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, and I met your wonderful family and on both occasions we went on about Castlemont, Shep, and the swimming, and after you served up a homemade recipe you could paint the side of a house green, the color of my face, actually, after I drank it, and we talked about swimming, and the Oakland Athletic League (OAL), and how Lew Cook, back, Tom Bullock, breast (a strange stroke at the time, a combination of the butterfly to come and the breast stroke style which was on the way out, the perfect stroke for you, I thought, kind of a discombobulated thing), and me on free. 100 yards medley relay!!! (Cook, Bullock, McKinnon); Coach Paul Chapelle; Castlemont High School. 1955. Tommy, you’re the math guy, but I think we have held that record … like 56 years!!!
We did not discuss the fact that perhaps this record has lasted because the event in this day and age is ridiculous and will never be revived. We will hold this record … forever. But, if I may modestly add, if you were good in this day and age in the Bay Area, you were good anywhere. And we were good. Lew went on to swim at Indiana; You went on to swim at West Point; and I swam at Montana.
And furthermore, on your recent visit up here, when we went across the street to the health club and swam some laps and ended the session with a 50 yard race and after the five minutes it took for our normal breathing to return, I have to tell you that it was not a tie.
But what I remember most about you, Tommy, were our walks, as kids, maybe even junior high age, along the trails up by the reservoir and through the brush adjacent to Chabot, I mean the talks with a philosophical bent.
The stars. Yes indeed. The stars.
What’s out there?
For example, pausing after a hefty workout at that cave man pool at the Oakland downtown Y at that bent parking meter, we stared up at the sky with bloodshot, bleeding eyes because swimming had yet to invent goggles, you would grunt, clear your throat, and mutter: “What do you think, Bobby?” And I would grunt and shrug. “I don’t know, Tommy.“ Because of our chlorinated eyeballs, it was difficult to determine if we were not both crying. In any case I did not seem to have a clue. But that triggered everything, and for a few moments, as that bent parking meter served as The Sentinel, we transcendentally soared off into space, counted stars, gasped at shooting stars, and wondered what the whole thing was about.
What if????
I ended up teaching science fiction; you ended up teaching astronomy. You and your cameras and mind-boggling stone circle publications; me and my various dog and fish publications.
And here we were, face to face, some 55 years down the road, that road with lots of turns and bumps. If you didn’t look too close, not much had changed.
Ecclesiastes said:
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun.
Oh yeah? Which sun? What about that sun over there?
I can see you smiling. I miss your typical response introduction: “Well … with the information available to us at this time …”
And off we go.
What fun to wonder.
I’ll miss you, Tommy.
Bobby.
Clark Beattie
August 22, 2011
We met while I was a student at West Valley College. He taught me how to operate the planetarium and could tell when I just needed a person to talk to... I also took his course, "The Ascent of Man"... and was so inspired I developed an art and science program for youth in Santa Cruz that has gone on for over 20 years.
He always had something good to say and a smile for the day... I only recently realized that he liked good scotch... I met up with him again a number of years ago through his son-in-law and daughter while having my car repaired at their shop......then later when he was swimming at a pool in Santa Cruz.
Tom was a wonderful man whose attitude and open-mindedness has stayed with me for the past 35 years. I'll never forget him or his passion for life... we should all be so lucky.
My thoughts are with his family who I know he loved very much.
Clark Beattie
Jay Freeman
August 20, 2011
We met on an African camera safari and stayed in touch off and on for the next 20 years. We last met Tom at the Oyster Bar in NYC while he was en route to his 50th reunion at West Point. I will always remember him as cheerful, philosophical and having a wide interest in life and travel. My wife and I are deeply saddened by his passing.
Marlene Wisott Brown
August 16, 2011
I knew Tom since Jr. High. We graduated Castlemont High together in '55, where he was our class president. He was held with the highest esteem by his classmates. He always made sure we had our 5 year reunions and was also active with the multi class picnics. I had the pleasure of working closely with him for the last 35 years on reunions. He was a dear friend, besides a former classmate. He lived life to the fullest. I can't say enough about Tom as a person who was so kind to many, and loved his family so much. I know myself and many other classmates, family and friends will take awhile to mend the hole in our hearts that he is leaving. May his spirit always be with us.
Greg Hickey
August 16, 2011
I was in the class of 1956, one year behind Tom at Castlemont High. We did not have have a lot of contact in school in classes but I did have a lot of contact with Tom on the wrestling team since we were in the same weight class and that was a weight that I will probably never see again. At the final meet in early 1955, I had lost my match and didn't make it to the finals but there was some redemption since Tom beat the guy who had beat me.
Tom was a great athelete at Castlemont but he was also a great student and excelled in everything that he did.
He was a great help to me by always doing the flyers for the Castlemont Picnic. I am sure that all of his many friends from the Castlemont days like me will miss him greatly.
Paul Sanders
August 15, 2011
When I first met Tom at West Valley College and went on a few star parties, I came to see him as an "all in" educator, alive with passion for life, his field, and his students. Not content with the sky above, I remember him taking up scuba diving at a less than tender age and being enthusiastic as a kid at the county fair. Congratulations on a life well lived and condolences to his family.
Paul Sanders, WVC
August 14, 2011
We had these in common: born in Alameda Co., Libras, had twins, had wives named Patty, taught Astronomy(shared an Office), worked as a Photographer, and most of all "Shared Love". Dave Marks
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