THOMAS SPICKERMANN Jan. 29, 1963 – March 11, 2016
The Celebration of Life for Thomas Spickermann will take place on Friday, April 1st at the Hernandez Community Center from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please come reminisce and celebrate Tom’s life with his family, friends, and co-workers. 19418 US HWY 84, Hernandez. This is a potluck event.
Thomas, 53, died in a plane crash near Ohkay Owingeh airport on March 11, 2016. Also in the plane was Karen Young of Los Alamos. Karen had rented the Remos GX in Santa Fe. Tom was the co-pilot. No official word has yet been released on the cause of the crash.
Tom was employed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a physicist at the Neutron Science Center. Tom received his diploma in physics from Aachen Technical University (Germany) in 1989. In June of 1994 he received his Ph.D with honors also from Aachen University.
He first worked at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland on the Antiproton Decelerator Ring before coming to the U.S. and Los Alamos. He became an American Citizen and was very proud to represent the lab and his work at various conferences throughout the world.
While working at CERN, Tom discovered the love of flying. He and a good friend both obtained their French pilot’s license and joined a local flying club in Oyonnax, France. Tom spoke fluent French. When he moved to Los Alamos, Tom sought out the Civil Air Patrol in order to remain current in flying. He then joined the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, chapter 691 in Santa Fe. Tom gained his full U.S. pilot’s license by flying rental planes. He was a proud sponsor of the Young Eagles program, also a part of the EAA.
Tom proudly built and flew a Zenith CH750 STOL. Starting in his garage in Hernandez, he worked tirelessly for five years to complete the project. With the help and advice of many of his friends in the flying community, he finally flew the aircraft for the first time in early 2014 from the very same airport. He made many upgrades to the aircraft before trading it for a Pegasair, recently.
Tom had many other interests including photography, swimming, and classical music. He recently took up biking to improve his overall well-being. He was very fond of gourmet food, wine, and particularly, sushi. He was an avid STAR TREK fan and looked forward to attending the new showings with colleagues.
Tom was born is Dorsten, Germany. Tom is survived by his wife, Debbie Spickermann of Hernandez, NM. Tom and Debbie had no children. In Germany he is survived by his father, Karl Heinrich Spickermann and step-mother, Josepha; his sister, Gabi Gruetering and husband Ludwig with their two children, Lutz and Philip; sister, Veronika Vospohl with husband Carsten, and children Lars, Bjarne and Mats all of Dorsten, Germany. Also sister, Andrea Spickermann of Berlin. Miriam Thimm and Johannes Thimm are also niece and nephew of Tom. Preceding Tom in death was his mother, Martha Spickermann and sister, Marlies Thimm.
Tom was a wonderful husband and friend. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was an important asset to the community and LANL. Tom was cremated at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory and will be going home to Germany for his final resting place.
Please coordinate with Debbie Spickermann for the wake at 505.753.3531.
The family of Thomas Speckermann has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505.747.7477 www.devargasfuneral.com.