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TOM CATHCART
1938 -- 2020
Tom died on January 19, 2020 following complications from an accident while bicycle riding.
Tom's handsome face, physical fitness, endearing shyness and happy spirit will always remain an imprint in my memory. That will be an imprint with a beautiful, graceful RUN around the track -- a joy to behold! He was a true and good friend whose presence I always enjoyed. I've particularly enjoyed visits with him and his sweet wife, Debra, at the Paly '56 reunions where we shared many aspects of our lives, past and present. Our date to a Paly dance when Sophomores turned out to be a humorous (now), traumatic (then) event for him when he went next door (OOOPS!) to pick me up. Rest in peace, dear Tom. We will miss you!
Lorna
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Steven Maxwell Johnson
In late 2019, I was exchanging emails with Tom about his wife Debbie’s struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Less than a month later, I learned from his daughter Sarah that he died on January 19. His death resulted from complications from surgery after a bicycle accident on December 31—crashing into a sign— that caused a break in his pelvis and a fractured hip socket.
It was my good fortune to meet Tom in junior high school soon after my family arrived from Berkeley in May, 1951. Tom’s family lived on Pine Street near the Rinconada pool, about a half mile from my parents’ new home. I discovered Tom to be one of the shyest persons I had ever met then, and in retrospect, in my entire life! Thoughtful, considerate and gentle, he was strong and athletic in ways I was not. We became friends. While staying over at his family’s cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake, he talked me into running cross country; we joined the track and cross country teams at Paly in the Fall. The team began to win meets in Northern California, led by Ron Larrieu. Ron later ran in the Tokyo Olympics. By senior year our later famous coach, Forrest Jamieson, convinced some of us to apply to Yale University to run on their track and cross country teams. Tom, John Morrison and I were accepted at Yale. In Sophomore year, we three lived at the same residential college. Tom and I would spend hours in my room chatting. When I transferred to UC Berkeley mid-Junior year, Tom arranged to have my books and possessions shipped to Berkeley.
Tom married Debbie and they both became teachers. A few years ago, I stayed over with them at their sturdy cabin at Kirkwood Meadows. I was amazed to learn that Tom had built the cabin, with its loft and basement, by himself! How could he have raised those tall poles that supported the roof, apparently with very little help? Tom epitomized the phrase, “the strong, silent type.”
I never figured out how to tell Tom how much I admired and loved him. I guess I figured that Tom, with his sensible character, fine intelligence and muscular body, would outlive all of us. I was wrong. I miss him very much!
David Mote
I also really admired Tom. Since cycling is my current mode of exercise and a great pleasure for me, I'm especially sorry to hear that cycling is what led to his death.