Robert Thomas Weimer

Weimer
Robert Thomas Weimer Retired
"Tom"
(Age 74)
R. Thomas (Tom) Weimer

Tom Weimer of Lookout Mountain, near Golden, Colorado, died at home on April 6, 2024. He was 74. Tom had a long and distinguished career in Washington, DC, working on public policy that involved science, engineering and technology. In a variety of roles, he had considerable influence on many national and international policy issues.
Tom was born in Laramie, Wyoming, on August 18, 1949, where his father, Bob, was completing his master's degree at the University of Wyoming. During his early childhood, he lived in a variety of locations as his parents had peripatetic job postings throughout the Southwest. In 1951, the Weimers moved to Palo Alto, California, where his father studied at Stanford for his doctoral degree. After that, they lived in Wyoming and Montana before settling in Colorado in 1954. In 1955, Tom's family moved to Lookout Mountain, which became his on-and-off home for the rest of his life. His home provided him the opportunity to grow up close to skiing, hiking, and camping in the mountains.
Tom attended Golden High School, graduating in 1967. He then attended Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering in 1972. He worked for Lockheed for one year, and then continued his graduate studies at the University of Washington, where he received a professional engineering degree in 1975. He began working for Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque in 1976, focusing on the safeguarding of the transportation of nuclear materials. Later, in response to the takeovers of the U.S. embassies in Iran and Pakistan, he spent 18 months with the State Department, creating innovative solutions for crowd control during embassy attacks.

In 1981, Tom switched from that emphasis and spent the remainder of his career working in Washington, DC, specializing in natural resources, energy and science and technology policy issues. Of special interest were policies impacting the West. His roles included:

Republican nuclear science advisor, House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, working for Rep. Manuel Lujan Jr. of New Mexico. His work on legislative and oversight activities related to federal regulation of the commercial power industry, as well as radioactive waste management and enrichment.

Republican energy coordinator, House Science, Space and Technology Committee, oversight of energy and environmental research, development and demonstration programs conducted by the Department of Energy. Later in that role, he was minority staff director, with oversight on non-military research and development of several federal programs, including NASA, Department of Energy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Institute of Standards, and the National Science Foundation.

From 1989-1993, he was chief of staff for Manuel Lujan, Jr. when he served as secretary of the Department of Interior.

Tom then took a sabbatical from Washington, DC, working as a consultant for two years and managing his friend Cy Jamison's campaign for U.S. representative in Montana. Returning to Washington, Tom served as:

Subcommittee staff director, House Science Committee; jurisdiction over non-military federal science policy, including NSF, DOE national labs, and Office of Science and Technology policy.

Program director for the National Academy of Engineering; strategic planning for engineering studies of concern to policymakers in government, industry and academia.

Legislative director for National Laboratory Affairs, University of California, Office of Federal Government Relations.

Principal deputy assistant secretary for water and science, Department of Interior; management oversight and policy guidance to the Bureau of Reclamation and to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, Department of Interior, 2005-2007.

Head of minority staff, House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming.

He worked with Dawson and Associates, a D.C. consulting group that focuses on Federal environmental regulatory policy and process, water resources funding and appropriations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works planning, and federal procurement strategy development.

Tom retired in 2010, where he lived on Lookout Mountain until the end of his life. He quickly integrated himself back into the community of Mt. Vernon Country Club, being responsible for all water delivered to the community. He also served on the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2023 and as President of the Board from 2018 to 2023. During this time the Club was faced serious financial problems and under Tom's leadership, the Board was successful in passing a mill levy which enabled the Club to refinance bank debt; hiring a management company to handle administration and accounting function for the Club (this firm was instrumental in the Club receiving COVID Funding); hiring qualified Club Managers who worked closely with the Board in formulating strategic long-terms plans; installing sound financial controls and reporting; setting up financial reserves for water, transportation, fire mitigation, and club events deposits; and obtaining the approval for a conservation easement to secure land from future development as well as selling of tax credits to provide capital.
Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman since his youth and continued his outdoor activities through last fall. His love for the great Colorado outdoors carried through his life. He also traveled extensively throughout his life, a luxury that first began with family while he was young.
He is survived by brothers Paul (Laurie Lamar), Carl (Kathy Aguer); three nephews -- Dan, Lou (Sydney Mirza), Rudy (Lisette Lastra), one niece, Katie -- and two grandnieces -- Roslyn and Lenna Mirza-Weimer -- and long-time and beloved colleague, friend, and fiancé, Maryanne Bach. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Ruth, and brother, Loren.
Tom's wide-ranging and expansive career defied simple summarization, but
his 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from Harvey Mudd College said, in recognizing Tom's leadership efforts to help America develop its energy and natural resource management policies: … Tom is "highly regarded for his expertise in climate and environmental issues and had a major influence on U.S. natural resource and energy management policies. [His] leadership in positions of significant influence and responsibility helped guide this nation to be a better custodian of the environment for the benefit of all."

Tom represented the very best of his generation, men and women who dedicated themselves to public affairs. He was also a valued friend and colleague to many. He mentored hundreds of staff members in an informal, yet effective and lasting way. He was extremely generous in sharing his time, resources, and enthusiasm with members of his profession and his community. He will be sorely missed.