Dr. Thomas Alois Becher

thomas becher

July 18, 1954 ~ July 13, 2024

Born in: Evansville, Indiana
Resided in: Great Falls, Virginia

Dr. Thomas Alois Becher, known to many as Tom, passed away on July 13, 2024, just days shy of his 70th birthday. Born on July 18, 1954, in Evansville, Indiana, Tom grew up in Poseyville, Indiana, and attended the local Catholic boarding school. He pursued his passion for mathematics and physics, earning a BS in both fields, followed by an MS in Mathematics and Physics from Indiana University. His academic journey led him to the University of Houston, where he obtained his PhD in Physics, his area of study was solitons.

It was at the University of Houston that Tom met his lifelong partner, Arlie Hammons. Together, they relocated to Northern Virginia after Arlie’s work stint in the UK. Their partnership was marked by love, dedication, and mutual support.

Tom’s professional life was distinguished by his career as technical leader, director, and chief scientist focused on aviation and transportation advancements at The MITRE Corporation. A key responsibility included oversight of MITRE’s aviation research and development program for Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. His leadership helped forge new relationships in Asia and brought global recognition to their work. One of his most notable contributions was the creation of TARGETS (Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation and Traffic Simulation), an advanced airspace design tool now used by the FAA and international civil aviation authorities. His work laid a strong foundation for the future of aviation, and his impact on the industry was profound.

Outside of his career, Tom was a devoted caregiver to his partner, Arlie. Despite his responsibilities, he found time to pursue his interests in theater and music, actively participating in local and state gay organizations, and generously donating his time and resources to various disabled organizations. Tom was a passionate advocate for minority rights and fought to ensure equal opportunities for all in the workplace.

Tom’s legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He leaves behind a community that is better for having known him and a body of work that will continue to benefit future generations.

A celebration of life is planned for a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, individuals may donate to the Points Foundation, https://pointfoundation.org/becher where Tom and Arlie endowed a scholarship for a gay individual pursuing a degree in math or physics at Indiana University.

Tom would also appreciate that his obituary was written using AI, another of his passions.

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  1. The Owners and Staff at the Money and King Funeral Home, wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call us anytime as we are always available to you.

    Bob Gallagher
    Funeral Director

  2. I am very sorry for your loss. Tom was such a wonderful human being! I only met him a couple times through work but my late husband Mike Cramer considered Tom a friend and mentor. They worked closely at Mitre for 15 years and Mike always spoke so highly of Tom professionally and personally. Tom impacted the lives of so people and they are all much better for it.

    • Thank you that is very kind. The picture above is tom interviewing Mike and they were laughing. The video is on Youtube.

  3. I worked with Tom for many years (maybe since early 1990s) and found him to be a very thoughtful, engaging, and earnest person. He was often thinking about ways to improve our processes at work, and championed several initiatives that now represent the norm. He was also a beacon for inclusiveness, which caused me to be a little more visible in my support for inclusiveness with a rainbow flag on my office door entrance. This was lost in recent office moves, and I have just added it back, in Tom’s memory, if not also to reassert our support for inclusiveness. Thank you Tom for the positive engagement, conversations and working to make a difference here at MITRE! You will be with us in our thoughts and memories going forward.

  4. Arlie, I am so very sorry for your loss. I was Tom’s admin for 10 years. He was always kind, supportive, funny, and a pleasure to work for. When I was carrying my son, he would always check on me to make sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed. He enjoyed hearing stories of parenthood and when I brought him to the office for visits. No matter how busy he was, he always stopped and made time. I’ll miss Tom’s laughter and wisdom. He was truly one of a kind.

  5. I worked with Tom for many years. Tom was a strategic visionary and perhaps more importantly encouraged his staff to be creative problems solvers.

  6. Tom and I were colleagues for many years, and I had the unenviable task of taking over his department when he was promoted to Director; how on earth could I fill those shoes??? I will never forget his friendship, advice and leadership. Blessings to all as memories of a great man sustain us.

  7. So sorry for your loss! Wow, 22-years flies by! I am so enriched by Tom’s wisdom and technical expertise. His being a pleasure to be around was a bonus we will all miss. God bless and keep you and yours.

  8. I met Tom through his husband, Arlie (who I met through BIS). I really appreciated how supportive he was, particularly after the death of my mother. I really wish I’d been well enough to visit him during his final days. 🥺🥺🥺

  9. Tom was a good man and will be missed. We worked together for many years.

    Vince Massimini

  10. Tom was creative, curious, and always put the growth of his staff first. As a manager, Tom would always challenge the status quo and tirelessly seek ways to allow those around him to grow, make the organization more effective, and enhance the safety of air travel. Hi sense of humor and insight will be missed.

  11. Dear Arlie,
    I am very sorry for your loss, Tom and I were colleagues and I always appreciated his guidance, knowledge, and leadership throughout those working years. He will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  12. I was so sad to hear that Tom has left us. He was the sweetest man and a wonderful co-worker. I have missed running into him in the halls of MITRE and giggling over silly things as we caught up. See you on the other side, Darling Tom.

  13. I met Tom several years ago at MITRE when he stepped up as a ‘senior’ sponsor for the LGBTQ+ employee group – no VP would do this as some VPs had done for other groups, but Tom, just one level below VP, gave of himself to support the group. He will be missed by many.

    • Uncle Tommy to me will be missed dearly. I wish I had been able to visit with him more. I cherish the memories of playing with him as a a child. I recall he would re hide my easter eggs as I found them so I had endless hunting! I remember when he climbed our apple tree and picked apples then made the best apple pie ever. He was always so loving and caring of others. He was quick witted and very smart. Love you and miss you!

  14. Uncle Tommy to me will be missed dearly. I wish I had been able to visit with him more. I cherish the memories of playing with him as a a child. I recall he would re hide my easter eggs as I found them so I had endless hunting! I remember when he climbed our apple tree and picked apples then made the best apple pie ever. He was always so loving and caring of others. He was quick witted and very smart. Love you and miss you!

    • Arlie we are so sorry for your loss!!

      I recall that I met Tom through Arlie in early 2000. Arlie and I belonged to Brain Injury Service (BIS) and Tom was very supportive of all within the group. Tom was very empathetic, and caring and hosted several BIS luncheons at his and Arlie’s home for the group.

      I would attend appointments with Arlie sometimes when Tom was overseas with his job from Mitre; and Tom always made sure we had wonderful lunches somewhere in Washington, DC., after the appointments.

      My spouse and I were most gracious to have lunch with Tom and Arlie and talk about the wonderful trips my spouse and Tom encountered in their worldwide travels! Tom even encouraged the both of us to return to school to get our doctorate degree in the field of education.

      Throughout the years, Tom and Arlie were very supportive of our daughter. Our daughter suffers from severe Crohn’s Disease and Tom always checked on her status. When she married and had her own children, Tom was equally as concerned. He had great compassion!

      In sum, Tom will be greatly missed! I am sure that for all of us that knew Tom through BIS and anywhere in our universe – where Tom has touched lives of many – that many balloons are being lifted! and candles lit on behalf of shared memories in honor of Tom!

      Tom, on behalf of my family- we will all miss your presence and your kindred spirit.

      Rest in peace, my friend! You are forever missed!

      Deborah Matos-Lowe, Ed.D and
      Russell Lowe, Ed.D


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