A Celebration of Life for Thomas Larche Brewer who was born in Toledo Illinois to Thomas and Rhea Brewer on July 13 1924 will be held on Friday September 28 2007 at Lohman Funeral Home Chapel 733 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach at 12:00 noon. His family is inviting friends for visitation on Friday from 11:00 am until 12 noon. He spent his childhood in Malone New York and attended Franklin Academy where he was an accomplished student athlete. During World War II in lieu of active duty he was sent to Rennselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy New York and obtained both a BS and MS in aeronautical engineering. He continued doctorate studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas. During his studies at RPI he met and married Ruth Elgie of Altamont New York in 1946. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Ruth and their six children; Thomas Brewer and his wife Connie Dr. Laurie Brewer Brian Brewer Lynn Brewer Pamela Biedermann and her husband John and Paul Brewer and his wife Barbara. They have eleven grandchildren; Wesley Brewer and his wife Sarah Todd Brewer Morgan and Kristofer Munoz-Brewer Andreas Alex Max and Samuel Biedermann Kyle Leah and Mark Brewer. Tom was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first great grand child in February. Tom was a man who valued life and the lives he valued most were those of his family. If asked; Tom would say his proudest accomplishment would be his children. He took it to task as did his wife Ruth that the children would pursue an education as they believed that was the greatest gift they could give. He often entertained his children and grandchildren with tales of their "Indian ancestry" and life in Upstate New York. It wasn't until they happened upon his old high school scrap book that some of those tales were found to be true. Tom had a long and accomplished professional career. His first job was with Convair and Curtiss Wright. During this time he researched solar energy as an alternative power source. He went to work for General Electric in Philadelphia PA. He was general manager for the Advanced Strategic System Program with the Re-Entry and Environmental Department. He was responsible for the Nike-Zeus Target Vehicle Program Weapons Effects Program (1966) and the Minuteman III Re-Entry Vehicle Program (1967). His work with GE also took him to Saudi Arabia. He later moved to the Daytona Beach area in 1979 to manage the Re- Entry Physics and Systems Analysis Laboratory; overseeing the COFT Program( Conduct of Fire Trainer). He held two patents in noise abatement. The Brewer family had their own rocket scientist. As the saying goes it doesn't take a rocket scientistin their house it did. Besides raising six children with his wife Ruth Tom was civically active. In the Philadelphia area he was involved with his area school board and coached the Valley Forge Colonials youth hockey team to the regionals in 1976. Their son Paul was a team member. In Ormond Beach Florida he was active with the GE Elfin Society once again volunteering in schools. He was a past president of the Citizens for Ormond Beach and served on the Environmental Advisory Board. He was a member of the Ormond Beach Historical Trust. He and Ruth attend St. James Episcopal Church in Ormond Beach. Upon his retirement from GE Tom and Ruth enjoyed their family and friends traveling the world a relaxed game of golf and always a fine bottle of wine.
The Family would like to thank Dr. Arun K. Dhand and Drs. Gerald and George Ehringer for all their wonderful care. They would like to give special thanks to Florida Hospital Hospice Care; Peggy Joelle Ruth Leslie Marie Larry and all those who cared for their father until the end. They would also like to thank Friends/CSI-Nursing; Margaret Vivian and Lucy for their devotion to his care. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be sent to Florida Hospital Hospice. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.