Thomas was, of course, a gifted PhD student.
Hard working, polite, respectful and efficient. He completed his PHD in 3 years, a record, as well as publishing 6 papers. He quickly out-paced his supervisor. During that time as a student he spent what time he could outdoors, learning about the trees, forests and fluxes. Indoors it was coding, databasing (oh.. his beloved database!) and writing. A gifted combination of skills that served him well throughout his career.
Thomas was a lab-mates dream
He was up for a drink (or many), a hike, a party, and a joke. He was often the victim of having his screen backdrops changed when away from his desk. To cats, which Thomas didn’t have much time for, and often much worse. He was the first to pitch in, to organize, to clean up or to pay.
Thomas became a stellar scientist.
He approached environmental questions and challenges with vigor and zeal. He had an enormous curiosity and passion for science. He loved tinkering with equipment, field and spectral data collection, programming, modelling, simulation and writing; making him a true all-rounder. From Landsat to LiDAR he moved between technologies with ease as he researched important issues of our time.
Thomas was also a collaborators delight.
He was respective of other opinions, eager to share ideas and approaches, happy to slow down and explain ideas simply or speed up and jump to the answer. He recognized others contribution and knew science was a collaborative endeavor. He was loyal to those he worked with, and travelled the world building networks of colleagues, based on respect, and the love of science.
But most of all…..
Thomas was my friend.