Aug 03, 2007 - Claremont, Calif. - Harvey Mudd College recently lost one of its close family members when Henry Thomas "Tom" Mudd, Jr., died July 13 after struggling with complications from pulmonary fibrosis. He was 65.

Tom was the grandson of HMC's founder, Harvey Mudd. His late father, also named Henry Thomas Mudd, was a long-time board chair and benefactor of the college.

A celebration of Tom's life was held on Saturday, July 21, at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, in Woodside, Calif. He was remembered as a scientist and inventor (he worked for SRI when it was still called Stanford Research Institute) who enjoyed interests and hobbies ranging from restoring classic cars and fly fishing to string theory and environmental conservation.

A Stanford University graduate, Tom held a master's degree in environmental engineering and a Ph.D. in civil engineering. He was a pioneering bat expert and advocate for science education. He also had interests in agriculture and winemaking, eventually establishing the Cinnabar Winery in the hills above Saratoga, in Northern California.

Tom was very generous to Harvey Mudd College, especially to its alumni. He hosted wine soirees, opened his retreat house to the Alumni Board of Governors and hosted an event for HMC's Henry T. Mudd Society Members.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Stipek Mudd; his children, Karina and Jack Mudd; a step-daughter, Meredith Sears; and his former wife, Melissa Frank. Harvey Mudd College Board of Trustees Chair William A. Mingst, his wife Caryll, and trustee Dr. Norman F. Sprague III and his wife, Marianne, are also family members.

The immediate family prefers that memorial donations be made to the Tom Mudd Science Education Fund, East Palo Alto Academy, P.O. Box 20524, Stanford, CA 94309.