Tom dropped me a note the other day that he had retired, again. More officially this time I suppose. It makes me a bit sad. I think I’ve known him for fifteen years, and I’m only twenty-seven. I may have known him a bit longer. He has forgotten more about sleep than most people have learned in their lifetime. In the industry there are a few outstanding people who want to see change and want to see younger people move up. He is one of those. I think back of the number of papers he helped me with in college. It seems I was always writing a paper on sleep. Imagine that. It is what I know. He is one of my favorite people to run in to at market, or at Kingsdown, or in Monaco. Whenever someone asks me how I am, if I respond “Fantastic!” I think of Tom. He is always so positive. He was the perfect person for the position he is leaving. Of course he is also the perfect person for the position he is filling in retirement. I’m sure he is a fantastic grandfather! Now lets just hope he doesn’t drive Holt too crazy. I won’t be a bit surprised to run in to him somewhere business related again, and I hope I do. I hope I run in to him on a boat before then.
Tom, enjoy your retirement. Thank you for all the things you have taught me over the years. Thank you for your support. Thank you for being a wonderful mentor, not only to me, but to a lot of folks in the industry. May we all strive to be as positive as Tom, everyday.
