of Little Rock, AR
May 14, 1944 - October 4, 2019
Thomas Joseph Lynch of Little Rock, Arkansas, left this Earth on October 4, 2019, at the age of 75. Tom was born in Portage, Pennsylvania, on May 14, 1944. He attended Lock Haven State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology. He then attended the University of Houston, where he earned an MS and PhD in microbiology and met his future wife, Deborah Jared. The couple married on July 24, 1971, at the University of Houston. Tom was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, friend, and teacher.
Tom was known for his love of the sciences and education. He was a Cancer Research Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from 1972 until 1978. He then began his career as a professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and later served as associate dean in the College of Math and Science for 14 years. In 1995, he won the University Teaching Award. Additionally, Tom was a 51-year member of the American Society for Microbiology and a 43-year member of the American Chemical Society. He served on the board for the Arkansas AIDS Foundations in the early 1990s and was president of the board in 1995.
Tom was known for many things beyond his professional accolades. He had a strong love of fishing, camping, and all things outdoors. He also considered himself an ''amateur chef.'' He was known for cooking four-course meals for his family and friends, along with his famous breads and cakes! Tom also continuously kept a garden at his home, where he grew potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and various herbs. He will forever be known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He worked to instill in his daughters to love learning, to be fair, and to love and respect others.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Jared Lynch; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marcellus Celestine Lynch; and brothers-in-law, Donald Jared and Ray Ward. Tom is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Lynch Cauley (Patrick) and Erin Lynch Mason (Drew); grandchildren, Aidan Cauley, Emma Cauley, Jared Lynch Burchfield, and Chase Mason; brothers, Michael Lynch and Barry Lynch; sisters, Judy Welu (Bill) and Nan Ward; brothers-in-law, Leonard Jared and Dennis Jared; sister-in-law, Jody Jared Black; and significant other, Melissa.
A visitation with the family will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. October 9, 2019, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. October 10, 2019, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the scholarship fund supporting biology students in the name of Dr. Thomas and Deborah J. Lynch at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Office of Development, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204.
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16 Condolence(s)
Dean Kizer
Monday, December 19, 2022
Dr Lynch brought energy and excitement to every phase of college. Wherher a meeting, a lecture or a sports event. Calling your name in an early morning lecture .. asking what about this science quandary... do we punt? He left a impression and a love of acience.
Tyrone Adcock
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Dr. Lynch inspired me when I was a nineteen year old student, studying Microbiology. He was a great professor! I went on to study Micro in graduate school, then to a doctorate in Medicine. Microbiology is still a large part of my practice. It all started with Dr. Lynch’s course, I am grateful to have studied under him. Why now? I am watching my middle son being inspired to pursue microbiology by his professor. The power of a great teacher (like Dr. Lynch) is delightful to watch, and a gift given to the next generation.
Cynthia Nahrwold
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
I can't remember precisely when Dr. Lynch and I realized we had more in common than that we were both UALR professors. We also shared a common "acquaintance": his sister, Judy Welu, and her husband Bill, both of whom I had the privilege to work with for ten years at Briar Cliff College [now University] in Sioux City, Iowa.
Both Tom and I laughed, and I told him to please give my regards to Judy and Bill--and to let them know how much I missed them and the rest of my BCC family. (I still do.)
My condolences to you, Judy and Bill, as well as to the rest of your family. I fully intended to come to the visitation later on today, but the first round of illness has hit my students--and now me. I certainly don't want to sicken anyone--I almost wrote "share"--what I've always called "that fine Franciscan verb" I learned at Briar Cliff. So I won't be there in person. But I will be there with you in my heart, my thoughts--in spirit.
Cindy
Mike Gealt
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Tom and I worked together for over 6 years. Our offices were next to each other and we spoke daily. Those conversations ranged from university administration to science (we were both microbiologists) to Pennsylvania (we were both from there, although different parts of the state) to family. He helped me understand people. And he shared with me some of the best BBQ locations in Arkansas.
The memories keep coming back of the things we did that were not part of the job description — the potluck lunches in the office, the rides to a restaurant in his pickup truck.
Over the last few years, since I left Arkansas, we would email a few times a year, keeping up with all the changes at UALR. I only got to visit with him once, but seeing how Tom was enjoying life and family helped me understand We are all on a journey. And how much Tom enjoyed the journey.
Jennifer Goode
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Uncle Tom was such a wonderful example of kindness. He was such a fun person to be around and full of stories and life. We are all blessed to have had his presence in our lives. He will be truly missed.
TERRIE LORENSON
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Erin to and your family my heartfelt condolences. Dr. Lynch was a one of a kind, a smart and studly man! He would tell me that that was what the Dr. told him at his regular check ups. He was a pleasure to work for and with. I know he truly loved working with students. He is loved and missed now and for always.
Cissy Lynch
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Tom was such a fun member of the family! Always made sure everyone had a drink in their hand and was ready to toast the group!! I know how much he will be missed by all , May you find the peace you seek knowing that he is reunited with the rest of the family that has gone before us , Love Always Cissy âŒâ¤ï¸âŒâ¤ï¸
Matt and D’Lisa Haas
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Love you guys.
Butch & Susan Hammack
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Sorry for your loss. Tom will be missed by all who knew him.
Jim Winter
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Tom. He was a wonderful colleague and friend. He was an outstanding teacher and strongly devoted to helping students. He cared deeply about UA Little Rock. He was compassionate, had good perspectives on educational issues, and a great sense of humor.
I especially appreciate his strong support of the Arkansas STRIVE teacher program, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP), and the former Science Scholars Program.
His passing is a loss for UA Little Rock and his friends, colleagues, and former students.
Andrew Cornell
Monday, October 7, 2019
Dr. Lynch was a great professor, dean and friend. He was my advisor and mentor for many years and always made time to listen and give advice to the wacky research ideas we came up with. He cared for his students and co-workers and always put others first. Some of the funny old stories he would tell about his younger days really got people laughing and smiling around the department. He will be forever missed and remembered.
Fred Watson, Former Chairman, UALR Chemistry Dept
Monday, October 7, 2019
In the early 1970’s, pre-med students were among the hardest-working, most dedicated students at UALR. There was no pre-med undergraduate degree for them to pursue prior to medical school. Thus they generally took courses that best prepared them for the MCAT exam. This meant that they either majored in chemistry and minored in biology, or majored in biology and minored in chemistry. It seems that most of the better students chose to major in chemistry, i.e., until Tom Lynch joined the UALR Biology faculty. Chemistry got most of the good students until Tom came along. More of the better students began to choose Biology as their major because of Tom Lynch. He was a charming, charismatic man. Students were dedicated to him as he was to them.
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Janet LANZA
Monday, October 7, 2019
Tom was a good friend and I will miss him. He had integrity, an excellent work ethic, compassion, and genuine wish to be the best person he could be. As a teacher, he was always a student advocate, but had high standards for student performance. He loved to cook, to laugh, and pet the dog. Please accept my condolences.
Jimmy PEVIA
Monday, October 7, 2019
What a fantastic Friend !!! Such a Great Person That will be Missed Forever !!!! RIP My Friend !!!!!
Heather Owens
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Dr. Lynch,
You were my hero and my mentor. You inspired me in my dream to pursue medicine. You made biology and the science of living creatures my love and I’ll be forever grateful. You were one of the most dynamic human beings I ever met. I know when you came to meet your maker, he said, “Well done, sir.”
Nagindra and Joanne Prashad
Saturday, October 5, 2019
We are sad to lose this good friend. We are fortunate to have known Tom, and to have shared so many adventures with him for so many years. It still wasn’t long enough and we wanted more. He was the ultimate teacher and scientist and leader. A humorous, creative, loving man. Our sincere condolences go to all his family, and to his close friend, Melissa. And to Emma.