Tom Hyngstrom
Tom and I first met when we were 11 and in the sixth grade at Walnut Park grade school in St Louis. We had been selected for an advanced grade school program that featured advanced math, science and French. We lived in different neighborhoods but traveled to school on the same public bus. We were friends from the start and shared many likes such as our sense of humor, playing baseball and going to see the Cardinals. Tom mave have had a tough childhood at home, but you would never have known it through his positive outlook. Tom never used foul language or complained, and I could not have had a better friend while living in a tough neighborhood.
We stayed in school together through the second year of high school when our familes both moved to the suburbs. We were seperated, but Tom never lost contact. He called and sent notes to share what he was doing. He visited my house to see me and my parents (who liked and respected him more than any of my friends) and always asked how my handicapped sister was doing. All of this continued as I left for college and then the Army and he left for the Air Force and to start his family. It continued until Tom's death.
Over the last 30 years I have enjoyed telling Tom how my family was doing, and he delighted in sharing stories about his three daughters, his grand children, and now his great grand daughter. His family was the joy of his life. He was so very proud of his family. Like me, he saw nothing more important in his life than his family.
Tom was a kind and thoughtful friend. Tom was my best friend.