But Tom Huber would not be the man to wish such emotions or ask that we remember him with any emotion, save a pleasant, inward smile. Underneath the veneer of his intensity and toughness was light mischievous mirth and a caring warmth. He loved a good-natured prank. When he laughed, it came from deep within, and his dark brown eyes fairly sparkled with merriment. 

So how do we measure a man whose life was so abruptly foreshortened? Perhaps it is best summed up in his devotion to his country and West Point, his love of the Army and, most of all, love of family – his Patricia and their four children. 

In the difficult years of the Cold War he served his country for 24 years. Three times he was at the perimeter of western democracy; the first time was in Germany, where he was called with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment when the Berlin crisis erupted in 1961. South Korea and Vietnam were later assignments. Thus, during his years of service he was with the millions who alternately warred against and peaceably contained the expansion of communist states. He lived to see the collapse of the empire he stood against. And in the remaining years of his life he helped in building the great mobile US Army which drove to victory in the liberation of Kuwait – a victory he would have savored. 

Tom’s ethic of accomplishment was born of a modest family upbringing which required self-discipline and hard work. He demanded much of himself. He lived the example of what he longed to be. He kept faith and integrity as his personal beacons.

His belief in West Point and its ideals was expressed in his desire to teach at the Academy;. He achieved that gal. His service in armor and ordnance provided him the knack for turning electro-mechanical theory into practical applications. And he made the applications easily understood by the cadets he taught. Later, after he retired from the Army, he successfully applied those same abilities in industry. 

There was, at the end of his Army career, yet another and perhaps deeper expression of his profound admiration of West Point. Following his retirement at the Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) in Rochester, Michigan, he made a solitary visit to the Academy. It was his way of acknowledging what West Point had given him. 

And to his family Tom left a wonderful legacy. His grandchildren will not see him, but his presence will be felt – Kathleen, Elizabeth, Michael and Jennifer will see to that. J. Kyler McManus described the father’s love they knew:
“A father’s love gives strength to his sons, guidance to his daughters and protection to the home. He is the most important teacher, because in him, his children see the qualities they will look for in other men.”

Farewell, Tom. Your time was too short, but you left all in good hands. Be thou at peace.