OBITUARY for TOM MORTIMER - " The Face of Lompoc "

WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE!
WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN!

We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Thomas Samuel Mortimer, 83, of Lompoc, CA who passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, completing a rich and extraordinary life in this world.

Tom was born September 9, 1930 in Baltimore, MD, to the late Samuel Hamilton Mortimer Sr. and the late Ida Alwilda Eaton Mortimer.  He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School in 1948 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Mechanical Engineering in 1955 and a Master of Science degree in Dynamics/Electrical Engineering in 1959, both degrees from the University of Maryland.  He was a member of several honor societies.

Tom married Sarah Newcomer in 1955.  They had two children, the pride and delight of his life.  He was a great father, very involved in their activities, playing lots of games, going on lots of fun outings and trips together, having them help him repair cars and do home improvements, challenging them intellectually, teaching them how to drive, and guiding them in responsible behavior, wise financial decisions, and the skills of planning and organizing.

With his brilliant mind, Tom worked 40 years in engineering as a design engineer, aeronautical engineer, computer software consultant, and computer systems engineer, obtaining the position of Senior Computer Scientist with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), from which he retired in 1990.  He provided systems engineering, training, and management of analysis and documentation for a wide range of military and computer systems, specializing in project planning and management.  He also taught drafting to future engineers at the local college.  Prior to CSC, he worked for Planning Research Corporation, Vitro Laboratories, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.  He worked briefly in Texas and then returned to work in Maryland and Virginia for the majority of his career before relocating with CSC to California in 1986.  Among other projects, he worked on the development of the Air Force Test Support Facility at Lompoc, preparing manuals and teaching courses to the Air Force.

Tom was fascinated by travel and transportation.  He loved to travel throughout the United States and around the world, enjoying many cruises and tours, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures.  Some of his favorite sights were the pyramids of Egypt, islands of Hawaii, Acropolis in Greece, Stonehenge in England, Great Wall of China, Panama Canal, Swiss Alps, glaciers of Alaska, and Ayers Rock in Australia.  In 1966, he took his family on a 7-week cross-country camping trip from Maryland to California and back, delighting his young children with a plane ride in the Grand Canyon, a helicopter ride at Mt. Rushmore, and all the exciting and varied rides at Disneyland.  Other family adventures included ski trips to Mt. Snow, Vermont, a trip to see the first World's Fair, beach vacations, and a ride on a 4-seater bicycle.  Much more recently, Tom and Alice, his "significant other" of 22 years, celebrated their 80 ^th birthdays with a delightful cruise to Bermuda with their adult children and grandchildren.

He had an avid interest in cars (especially antique cars) and trains (especially steam locomotives).  The Indy 500 race was an annual family highlight, full of in-depth analysis and excitement.  He was a licensed private pilot, owned a plane, two RV's in which he odysseyed around the country, three motorcycles, and numerous cars, and visited as many steam trains as possible and talked with their engineers.  He showcased his 1929 Model A car in numerous parades.  He had his own speed shop in Baltimore, invented many helpful devices such as the first electrical garage door that opened from the center like a book and was operated remotely, and designed and built home improvements.  He shared his auto mechanics knowledge, engineering skills, and racing passion with his son Mike and helped him become a world champion in dragracing.  Other interests included astronomy, space exploration, golf, coin-collecting, and ballroom dancing.

Tom loved talking with people.  With a great sense of humor and compassion, he wanted everyone to be happy.  Actively involved in the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce in Lompoc, CA for many years, he was frequently honored as Ambassador of the Year.  In fact, he was known as "The Face of Lompoc," and was well-known by many residents.  He was always friendly and a very nice man, ready to help anyone at any time.  As a Lompoc resident for 27 years, he was proud of Lompoc with its beautiful murals and flowers and the wonderful people who live there.  He was also proud to be an active member of the Elks Lodge serving the Lompoc community.

Tom is survived by two children:  Lynn Sacks and Mike Mortimer.  He is also survived by three grandchildren:  Laura Sacks, Michelle Sacks, and Fawn Felty; and by four great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his beloved companion and significant other Alice Iwai of Lompoc, CA, and his former spouse Sarah Henneberger.  He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Samuel ("Jim") Hamilton Mortimer Jr.

Tom Mortimer lived a full and happy life and was a blessing to many.  As he put it, "What a wonderful life I have had!"  He will always be treasured in the hearts of his family and friends.  We rejoice that, although he has recently traveled from us, he is now leading God's engineering team and talking with everyone in heaven!

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting any donations be made out to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or any charity of preference.

A memorial service to celebrate Tom's life is scheduled for 1 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary in Lompoc, CA.  A reception will follow at the Lompoc Elks Lodge.  A second memorial service will be scheduled soon in Maryland.