I first met Tom in the mid 2000's when I was working at Swiss Time Services, and remember being struck by his incredible energy, he had bought an Anakin Skywalker for something like $50 and told an elaborate story about how the seller had found it in a tool box. Since then Tom was a regular feature at STS, bringing in his bargain finds, always hungry for knowledge and incredibly passionate. Tom soon established himself as a force to be reckoned with, and his visits would be become regular highlights for us. As the years progressed we got to see Tom's magnetic and vivacious personality work its magic on whatever he touched. Obsolete parts would magically appear, unusual models seemingly fell in to his possession. We got to witness how tenaciously he was able to make contacts and connections, working his charm on everything he touched. It is hard to comprehend how such a force of nature is no longer with us.
My thoughts are with his family, who he loved in the same way he approached everything in life, with passion, dedication and enthusiasm.