Thomas Coles, PA

January 2, 1946 – February 1, 2008
MEDEX Class 1, 1970

Tom Coles was a person with deep conviction, passion and extreme ability for detailed focus for any area of his interest such as training, ornithology, fishing, marine biology and life. “Legacy” is a very over-used word, but with Tom, it’s true; he has left behind a very real legacy, which will affect the way many people do things for a very long time to come.

“The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive” (Albert Einstein). In one word, Tom was a man who gave. He gave much to his family, friends, work, and to his colleagues.

Tom was a strategic thinker, a visionary who was brilliant, innovative and creative. As such, he contributed much to the development of MEDEX, especially in the field of health training. He generously gave his knowledge, his expertise and his skills.  He was also a serious bird-watcher and made many contributions to the field of ornithology.

Tom changed the thinking and indeed the lives of so many of his colleagues and students, who he touched with his inspired teaching, as well as the lives of his friends and love ones.