Farewell Tom. So many of us found you unsurpassed in dignity and decency, and the touch you left on our lives moved us a little further toward our potential. For that we always will remember you with grateful hearts. Matt, Sandi.
Tom’s wit and wisdom will be sorely missed. He served his nation with integrity and honor, setting a high bar for so many who learned by his example. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Tom, a much admired colleague, ably led the Near East South Asia office, arguably one of the Agency’s busiest and most productive analytic components, during a long period of perpetual crisis. His rich legacy includes the consistently excellent work his winning team did for our country, the professional growth he nurtured in his talented people, and the solid reputation he established as a man of character, wit, and simple decency. And we also will remember him fondly as a good humored guy who readily made time for fun in the workplace. A sad loss but a full life to celebrate!
Tom was the head of NESA when I moved down from the Ops Center. I could wax poetic about his wit, wisdom, career guidance, and other mentoring he provided for me. However, the word that rises above all others is “kind.” I am grateful for his leadership and service and honored to have served under him!
Having shared the same birthday (year and day), Tom and I used to banter a lot about who was really older than the other. Whenever he got a bit “uppity” with me, I would remind him that even though we were the same exact age, having been born in Galilee I was always seven hours older than he is! He would laugh and mumble “Rubbish!” When I spoke to him a few days back, I ended the conversation by reminding him of what he used to say “Go forth and do good work.” He said he didn’t think he could do more work! I still find it very difficult to believe what’s happened to Tom and always recall the question of the ages, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Ilonka and I will always remember the fun-filled trip that we took with Tom and Burt to Tahiti 10 years ago to celebrate our joint 70th Birthday! Good bye Tom and Godspeed. We will miss you. Emile and Ilonka
I could not have asked for a better senior leader in my first post-US Army professional job. You were calm in the face of near constant crisis and always dignified. You, and the leaders you hired as my immediate bosses when I was a junior officer, set the example as a leaders I still try to emulate 25 years later. You will be missed.
Tom was a class act–as a colleague, a boss, a mentor and a friend. He encouraged me, challenged me, and, when necessary, gave me the valuable strait forward feedback I new was always accurate and honest. And yet, he never lost his sense of humor and calm demeanor whatever challenges and crises came our way. As a supervisor under his tutelage, I will always remember his closing comment at the end of planning sessions with me and my fellow supervisors–“So let it be written, so let it be done”.–an illustration of his sense of humor and smooth leadership style. Tom, I will never forget you.
Tom welcomed me to NESA as a young imagery analyst in 1985 and he marked my retirement nearly 30 years later by gracing me with his presence (and by being as sweet as you can imagine to my Mom) at my ceremony. In between those events, he taught me how to lead, sometimes with subtle guidance, sometimes with a deftly raised eyebrow, and sometimes with a stern ‘Mr. Liepman. Andrew. let’s chat in my office”. What a wonderful, dignified, honest, and fair man. More than anything, I loved making him laugh. What a laugh, what a role model, and what a great friend. I’ll miss you, Mr. Wolfe.
We owe you so much, Tom. You rarely told us how to be, act, lead, or care…you showed us. In crisis after crisis in the Near East and South Asia, you blessed us with your calm, your humor, and your wisdom. And in lunch after lunch, you blessed me with your friendship. Your influence goes farther than you would ever acknowledge, much less accept credit for.
Tom was a wonderful mentor and friend; leading by example, offering guidance when needed, and always supportive. I think back on my naïveté and inexperience when I first worked for him, yet he championed me and my team, applauding our successes and steering us away from difficult paths. I have always considered him one of my best teachers, and even now in retirement, strive for the same patience and consideration to others that he showed me.
Tom was absolutely the best leader I had the pleasure to work for! Tom’s dedication to work and his love for Bert and Kate showed us all we didn’t have to sacrifice family for the mission! I will miss Tom, who I admired so very much!
We would like to send our condolences to the Wolfe family. When we lose a loved-one, sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to say. So I would like to share a thought from God’s word the Bible. Psalms 34:18 says God “is close to the brokenhearted;He saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Please let these words provide some comfort during this difficult time.
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Goodbye friend. Miss you already. Charlene and Dave
Dear Bert
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May Tom’s love stay with you and may he rest in peace.
With sympathy,
Suzanne
Farewell Tom. So many of us found you unsurpassed in dignity and decency, and the touch you left on our lives moved us a little further toward our potential. For that we always will remember you with grateful hearts. Matt, Sandi.
Tom’s wit and wisdom will be sorely missed. He served his nation with integrity and honor, setting a high bar for so many who learned by his example. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Tom, a much admired colleague, ably led the Near East South Asia office, arguably one of the Agency’s busiest and most productive analytic components, during a long period of perpetual crisis. His rich legacy includes the consistently excellent work his winning team did for our country, the professional growth he nurtured in his talented people, and the solid reputation he established as a man of character, wit, and simple decency. And we also will remember him fondly as a good humored guy who readily made time for fun in the workplace. A sad loss but a full life to celebrate!
Tom was the head of NESA when I moved down from the Ops Center. I could wax poetic about his wit, wisdom, career guidance, and other mentoring he provided for me. However, the word that rises above all others is “kind.” I am grateful for his leadership and service and honored to have served under him!
Having shared the same birthday (year and day), Tom and I used to banter a lot about who was really older than the other. Whenever he got a bit “uppity” with me, I would remind him that even though we were the same exact age, having been born in Galilee I was always seven hours older than he is! He would laugh and mumble “Rubbish!” When I spoke to him a few days back, I ended the conversation by reminding him of what he used to say “Go forth and do good work.” He said he didn’t think he could do more work! I still find it very difficult to believe what’s happened to Tom and always recall the question of the ages, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Ilonka and I will always remember the fun-filled trip that we took with Tom and Burt to Tahiti 10 years ago to celebrate our joint 70th Birthday! Good bye Tom and Godspeed. We will miss you. Emile and Ilonka
Tom was the quintessential professional. He was unflappable. You always felt, under his leadership, everything was always going to be ok.
I could not have asked for a better senior leader in my first post-US Army professional job. You were calm in the face of near constant crisis and always dignified. You, and the leaders you hired as my immediate bosses when I was a junior officer, set the example as a leaders I still try to emulate 25 years later. You will be missed.
Tom was a class act–as a colleague, a boss, a mentor and a friend. He encouraged me, challenged me, and, when necessary, gave me the valuable strait forward feedback I new was always accurate and honest. And yet, he never lost his sense of humor and calm demeanor whatever challenges and crises came our way. As a supervisor under his tutelage, I will always remember his closing comment at the end of planning sessions with me and my fellow supervisors–“So let it be written, so let it be done”.–an illustration of his sense of humor and smooth leadership style. Tom, I will never forget you.
Tom welcomed me to NESA as a young imagery analyst in 1985 and he marked my retirement nearly 30 years later by gracing me with his presence (and by being as sweet as you can imagine to my Mom) at my ceremony. In between those events, he taught me how to lead, sometimes with subtle guidance, sometimes with a deftly raised eyebrow, and sometimes with a stern ‘Mr. Liepman. Andrew. let’s chat in my office”. What a wonderful, dignified, honest, and fair man. More than anything, I loved making him laugh. What a laugh, what a role model, and what a great friend. I’ll miss you, Mr. Wolfe.
We owe you so much, Tom. You rarely told us how to be, act, lead, or care…you showed us. In crisis after crisis in the Near East and South Asia, you blessed us with your calm, your humor, and your wisdom. And in lunch after lunch, you blessed me with your friendship. Your influence goes farther than you would ever acknowledge, much less accept credit for.
Tom was elegant, funny, and wise! Every moment with him was a joy. Everyone who knew him was inspired to be with him.
Tom was a wonderful mentor and friend; leading by example, offering guidance when needed, and always supportive. I think back on my naïveté and inexperience when I first worked for him, yet he championed me and my team, applauding our successes and steering us away from difficult paths. I have always considered him one of my best teachers, and even now in retirement, strive for the same patience and consideration to others that he showed me.
Tom was absolutely the best leader I had the pleasure to work for! Tom’s dedication to work and his love for Bert and Kate showed us all we didn’t have to sacrifice family for the mission! I will miss Tom, who I admired so very much!
Tom mentored a generation with humor and wisdom. He will be dearly missed.
We would like to send our condolences to the Wolfe family. When we lose a loved-one, sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to say. So I would like to share a thought from God’s word the Bible. Psalms 34:18 says God “is close to the brokenhearted;He saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Please let these words provide some comfort during this difficult time.