Tom's absence is shocking, and also somehow unacceptable. Since the time he moved to New York last summer, he right away became an integral part of our lab, both scientifically and socially. Every single person in the lab was touched by his personal warmth, acute intelligence, incredibly helpful attitude, terrific sense of humor, willingness to buy rounds at lab beers, and generally just being an excellent guy. Our whole team misses him terribly.
I hope that Tom's colleagues, friends, and family can, if they like, contribute thoughts, memories, stories in this space.
New York, December 2010
David Poeppel
23 comments:
I worked with Tom in London. He seems to have done so much that I was surprised when I found out that he's just finishing his Ph.D. He was extremely bright and hard-working, but also very humble and pleasant to be around. The news of his tragic and sudden death is a great shock. I send condolences to Tom's family and friends. I am sure that everyone who interacted with Tom even briefly will remember him fondly and the memories will keep some of his spirit alive.
Vladimir Litvak Ph.D
Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging
I am one of Rachida’s friends and became friends with Tom when they first started courting in London four years ago. He was a “diamond geezer” as they say, right from the start. He went to such great lengths tracking Rach down after meeting her out one night and I remember thinking what a romantic gem he must be. He was a really great cook and a hopeless klutz, I remember his dance moves and the thoughtfulness of him giving my partner the George Orwell book "Homage to Catalonia" after hearing him talk about how much he liked his books. He was such a funny, warm and intelligent guy and we all adored him and thought just maybe he might come and live in Australia one day. It is such a terrible loss and I still can’t really get my head around it, Tom was so well loved and will always continue to be so.
We shared an office in London. I will always remember Tom's calm and his kindness and his readiness to help. I wish we had had more time. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends. Tom, you will be missed.
Sam Schwarzkopf
I met Tom when I had recently moved to London one evening at a party at Cathy Price's house. When I first met him, I remember I thought he looked like Bill Pullman in Lost Highway. But not generally like him, but specifically around that time in his life. We had a long tube ride back with much laughter and fun. After that Tom was a part of life in London, both on and off Queen square. I ran into him equally frequently at the MRI scanners at the FIL and Filthy McNasty's, which was right across our flat and one of Tom's favorites. One Saturday night around 1 am, we ran into him at a bus stop in Crouch End. Night buses in London are full of drunk people almost exclusively. Instead, Tom was serene, reading a book, which he kept in the pocket of his brown corduroy jacket. We talked about how he was looking forward to spending a few years in New York. Tom was well-liked by everyone. It's a shock to hear these news and extremely saddening. My heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.
I've been close friends with Tom since I was 15 (for 20 years!) - I've experienced so many good times with him over the years too many to regale here. He was a real ally and we supported each other the years of job drudgery in our 20s.
We last met up the day after my son was born, on my birthday and we both made a real effort to meet up with each other before he flew back to NY - he met me at Guys and St Thomas's and we went back to mine and had a beer in the garden late at night talking about how we both felt happy with what we had achieved. Tom had finally got his PhD, a great post in NY and was the happiest I'd seen him in years. I think this is how I'm trying to accept the situation, he had reached one of his main goals and achieved a massive respect from his peers and he would be happy with that. I missed Tom when he went to NY, but I miss him achingly now. He will be forever in my thoughts
Tom was one of the first people I met when I started working at the FIL, about 3 years ago. Tom was the one I used to go to with questions about MEG analysis issues and he was always very friendly and patient. I remember there was always this aura of calm around him.
Once in a while, when I needed a scanning partner, Tom would help out and we would sit there in the MEG room talking about life and research. Tom had told me that he left a career in finance (or Law? I forget..) to pursue a PhD which I found admirable - It is very rare to meet people who would be brave enough to leave a ‘cushy’ present to pursue something they are passionate about.
The news of Tom’s death have been a huge shock and incredibly heartbreaking. I will always remember him fondly. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Maria Chait
Tom was my cousin once removed. We only met intermittently over the years but I was always struck by how personable and open he was. It was so easy to start to chat again each time we met, however rarely.
The last time we saw each other was at his grandfather's funeral earlier this year. He spoke to the congregation so movingly and emotionally about their relationship - a speech that I will always remember.
It is somehow comforting at least to see Tom's life being remembered so positively here.
Michael Schofield
I was a fellow PhD student with Tom in London. I did not know him for very long, but just from being able to have a beer with him on occasion and seeing him at work fairly often, I got the sense of what a cool guy he was. I have a clear memory of being at the Queen's Larder talking about our respective transitions to the USA in the coming months and where he could find a Liverpool-like experience in America. I was thinking about how much he would enjoy New York. It is quite distressing to have someone pass away during such an exciting time of transition in their lives. I know that Tom made a good impression on everyone we both knew and I want to send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I can only hope that our memories of Tom can provide some solace and positive influence going forward for those close to him.
Raphael Kaplan
I was working on my Master's degree when I first met Tom. We didn't interact much since I spent the bulk of my time elsewhere during my program. When my Master's degree was finished I flew back to Canada, however I've returned to London over the past few summers and increasingly spent more time with Tom. I guess that's what I'm coming to terms with the most--the end of a budding friendship. During my final week at the FIL, Tom and I went to Bradleys Spanish Bar. I had never heard of the place but it totally fit my tastes. We talked about music, girls, and brains and I knew he was a cool guy and I was looking forward to traveling down south to visit him in NYC. Then this happened. My heart goes out to all of you, friends and family, who have a more storied history with Tom than me. He was the kind of guy you wanted to hang out with.
Nick Neufeld
I first met Tom a few months ago at one of the happy hour meetings with David's lab. Tom had an incredible sense of humor and quickly became one my favorite people at NYU. He was charming, personable, and an all-around great conversationalist. One of my favorite memories of Tom is when he gave me a small collection of British coins after learning of my coin collecting hobby. This small gesture really touched me at the time and now serves as a reminder of what a thoughtful person he was. It's amazing that someone known so briefly can mean so much to you. I miss Tom and will never forget him.
Gwyneth Lewis
New York University
Tom's family have set up a website to remember Tom - would be great if people could post comments there. www.thomasschofield.co.uk
I first met Tom when he arrived here at NYU to work with the Poeppel Lab in the Psychology department. We were working on his new fMRI experiment that he was going to start here at the Center for Brain Imaging using our MRI system.
I found him to be a pleasure to work with, very easy going and quick with a smile. We joked around and laughed while he was down here getting his presentation code set up in the lab.
Although I only new him briefly but I will always remember him.
My condolences to his family in this time of tragedy.
Keith Sanzenbach
Manager NYU Center for Brain Imaging
I worked with Tom here at NYU, but had only barley had a chance to get to know him. However, as soon as I had met Tom I felt he was an engaging and incredibly friendly person. I remember after one of the beer outings that we have for the lab here and one of the first chances I really had to talk to him that I was struck with the certainty that this would be a great person to get to know. Tom will be missed by a great many people including those he met only briefly. He had that kind of effect on people it seems. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Jeff Walker
I went to school and university with Tom so have been friends with him for over 20 years. Some of my happiest memories were from our University days. Lectures over, we were quite often to be found sitting, chatting and laughing in one of Durham's public houses!! We also shared a house during our second year when Tom showed off his adventurous cooking skills, not always followed up with washing up skills!! Tom was also Best Man at my wedding, 4 years ago, and did a terrific job as only Tom could, although he did forget his shoes, prompting a last minute rush to a bargain shoe shop! Tom was a very intelligent person and someone who you could talk to about anything. I miss him greatly...
David Bruce
I'm a colleague of Tom in the NYU lab.
He has been with us for only a short time. Now I can only regret for the lost chances to know better of, or simply to have more time with him.
The impression Tom left me, if I can use only one word, is ‘natural’. He looks relaxed and calm, and at the same time, open to the surroundings. A natural yet honest and sincere flow is very easy to get when you approach him. I think he is someone with the exceptional achievement in having the warm, open, and very much balanced shape of personality.
I'll contribute a very small 'story' about Tom that I once encountered. Please do excuse my awkwardness in expression. We have a pantry near the office for coffee and tea. However, it has not been properly managed and the coffee and tea are out of order. There is a jar that collects money from people, but there has been nobody who took them out to make the purchase. One day I went to the pantry and saw Tom there, getting a little frustrated. He asked me is there coffee beans, I said 'no'. He then discovered the money jar and asked 'shall I take the money out to buy the coffee?' I got a little amused because I never had a thought that non-management person could do this. I gave him a quite firm 'no'. In the afternoon when I went to the pantry for water again, it's just happened that I saw him there again! He was putting beans to the coffee machine, which he bought by himself. Remember that this is a public pantry... Yes it's just a small everyday event. But I can still remember the 'warmly amused' emotion he transferred, by the way he dealt with the matter without any rigidness in mind but only 'effectiveness'. It reminded me of him a lot when I went to the pantry these a few days. And I'm thankful to this memory!
My sincere regards to Tom’s close others, family, and friends.
Yue Zhang
I have just posted something to the site set up by Tom's family at www.thomasschofield.co.uk - it would be great if others would too. All my thoughts are with all of you.
Sunila
I remember all those years ago in Southport seeing Tom, in university holidays, working for an electric boat-hiring company on the shore of the marine lake. There was always something effortlessly donnish about him, and it was so funny to see him bending over mini motor-boats to instruct beaming teenagers or jog along the shore to catch abandoned boats with a giant hook. Something about his nature made the situation seem surreal; like Heidegger was selling ice creams or Chomsky had been put in charge of the crazy golf. You get to meet very few authentic characters in life – people who, in being true to themselves, inspire, provoke and encourage you to be truer to yourself. Tom was one of them. There was something alchemical about him, blending charisma, intellectual rigour, kindness, and humour with a quiet vivacity. He affected you. When I last saw him it was after a break of a few years and I was so happy that he had found the recognition his gifts deserved. He, of course, hadn’t changed, but seemed buoyed by the possibilities newly available to him. He was charming, hilarious and very passionate about his future. The news is difficult to digest. His absence is haunting and horrific and ridiculous. I’m sorry for your loss, and the loss of the world yet to know him, but will remember him – with a smile – always.
It has been so good to read this page in particular the mention of Tom's kind heart.I remember two occasions that I have a vivid memory of.When Tom was a small child at school,about five years old,I found him crying when I checked him sleeping before I went to bed.I asked him why he was crying and he said."the children where laughing at the man who was sweeping the street behind the school,the man lookeds so sad. We had a good chat and he settled to sleep. The second occasion was at the age of nine when hed was playing with his friends on their BMX bicycles.A group of children had come from the city,they threatened Tom and his friends with an air gun and stole their bikes.Later that day Tom was upset and had compassion for the child with the air gun."Mum",he said "I feel so sorry for that boy,he looked so poor and his clothes were worn out full of holes". I think this special quality remained in him all his life.
I think Tom saw fine clothing as a barrier to communication with some people.
(Tom's mum)
Have only just heard the news about Tom as we hadn't been in contact since we left University. I have to say that Tom was and will continue to be one of the most influential people in my life. I only have to hear the opening bars of any Suede track and I will instantly think of him. Have spotted Digger's post on here, 'Boggun' is probably here somewhere. I spent many an afternoon with Tom and the chaps drinking cheap vermouth and terrorising the folks at the indie night at Klute. There are many stories that I could share on here, setting fire to the cock a doodle doo alarm clock, putting people in upside down litter bins, tantrums and tiaras (from us both!). The tale that will always stand out for me is Tom, not the burliest of men, taking on a group of meaty Durham ne'er do wells who decided they would were going to give me some abuse. With mascara on and the broadest Liverpudlian accent he could muster he sent them packing with their tails between their legs. He did fall over a bar stool afterwards but that didn't detract from the overall effect. Cooking sausage casserole in the middle of a half derelict castle, beer can tennis, the list goes on. A brilliantly intelligent man who took a naive Brummie under his wing and gave him the best Fresher's year ever.If he was in your life then no doubt you will have been touched in the same way. There are many, many people that loved him and the girls swooned at the whole Brett Anderson thing he had going on.
A very, very sad loss.
Kevin Field
I have just read Tom's essay in Nature. I didn't know him but found his essay to be very incisive and uplifting. It was a shock to read of his untimely passing at the end of his article. A huge loss.
Seamus Martin
Rest in Peace.
- from a reader in Philadelphia
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