Grace’s College Fund

In September of 2020, after a battery of tests, Tom was diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at 48 years old. Tom mostly kept the diagnosis to himself and when it became difficult to hide, he played it down. He had a close cadre of people he told, for no reason other than he subscribed to the philosophy that a man doesn't burden others with the things that are his to carry. Tom leaves behind his wife, Dawn Denzin, a 17-year-old daughter, Grace, 1,000s of trees he planted, and an endless amount of people who he lifted up.

In his final days, when asked about his parting words, Tom left us with this: have a good time with your friends and lover(s). Ride a bike, challenge groupthink, exercise your sarcasm, bring something to the party, strive for results, not credit, don't take yourself seriously (it's a tell-tale sign of being nearly full of shit), share what you do for free when you can. Whenever you can reject populism. Life is infinitely more complex than us vs. them. Plant a tree. Support live music. When your friends introduce you to "important" people, pretend not to know them. Tell dumb jokes. Carry concealed. Wear a costume to a regular work party. Listen to Johnny Cash. Listen for the theme in a person's stories. Don't believe your own CV. Annoy someone you love. Press all the shiny red buttons. Do spring cleaning, and get your affairs in order. As I was, you are. As I am, you will be. So let your freak flag fly and enjoy the tastes of fresh fruit and cold water. Host a dinner party, tell stories and enjoy one another's company. Stand outside in the

rain.

If you would like to do something to honor Tom, plant a tree, sing loudly, or donate to his daughter's college fund here.