Athens Loses UGA Historian and Writer Tom Dyer

I don't know everything about Tom Dyer. Just a little. He liked to work in the background, far from the limelight, quietly doing this or that. But here's what comes to mind.

"I can think of no one who loved UGA more than Tom, or who served it in so many different capacities, for so long, and always with such passion and conviction," said UGA history professor John Inscoe. "But perhaps his most enduring legacy is what a great friend and mentor he was to so many -- graduate students, undergraduates, faculty and colleagues. There are legions of us who owe him so much on that front alone." 

Historian Tom Dyer knew a lot about the University of Georgia, the people who started the university, the courses that were taught, the students who attended. He knew what happened in Georgia during the Civil War, who had sided with the Union and what happened to them. He knew how Georgia had integrated, the bumps and bruises it suffered, the pain afflicted on people of color. He knew the place of the university in American life as well, how it had developed and what it had helped create. 

“Tom Dyer was one of the great citizens of the University of Georgia," said former UGA President Chuck Knapp, now interim dean of the Terry College of Business. "He worked closely and productively with four presidents and was dedicated to making us stronger academically.  He will be sorely missed.”
 
As an administrator, the Vice President for Instruction, Tom worked to make the University of Georgia a better place for students. A place that could nurture the life of the mind. Where learning and culture didn't stop when a test was over or a term paper turned in. He worked with former housing director Jim Day to create the residential college for the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. He devised the Blue Card system, giving credit to freshman undergraduates for attending designated cultural events at UGA and then letting those with a certain number of events register first. He placed advisors in the residence halls and brought scholars-in-residence into the halls. He also broadened the mission and reach of the Institute of Higher Learning.

"Tom Dyer was the consummate Professor, Historian, and Friend," said former UGA President Michael Adams. "I will miss him greatly.  Mary joins me in sending our deepest sympathy to Anna, Elizabeth and the entire family." 

Tom was curious about everything. He was kind and respectful to everyone, loyal to his friends and happy about his beautiful family and their accomplishments. A native of Missouri, he was proud of his deep roots there and returned often to his childhood home. He and Anna, his wife, had been visiting Missouri often over the past few years, to visit family, to work the land and to research yet another book Tom was writing about the farm. They were able to go there this summer, despite his failing health.

Tom Dyer died on Monday, October 28. His family and friends are heartbroken. How could they be otherwise?

Father Robert Salamone will officiate a Memorial Service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A reception will follow the service in the Common Room of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Thomas G. Dyer Academic Support Fund. Checks should be made payable to the University of Georgia Foundation and mailed to the Institute of Higher Education; Meigs Hall, UGA; Athens, GA 30602. 

Click here to read Tom's obituary in the Athens Banner Herald.