In Memoriam: Thomas Spence, CAFM® (1933-2019)
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Respected longtime NAFA Regular Member Thomas Spence, CAFM, Colonel U.S. Army (Ret.), passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Along with a distinguished military record and service to the country, he will also be remembered for his service to NAFA's Board of Governors (the precursor to NAFA's current Board of Directors).
"Tom was a great man, and a real military hero," said NAFA CEO Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "He helped start the Old Dominion Chapter and was very active in the chapter and on the Board back in the day."
Born January 3, 1933, in Ohio, subsequently moving to Pennsylvania, Spence eventually attended the University of Youngstown until he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.
He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was then commissioned as an officer in the Field Artillery Corps. Col. Spence subsequently, and while still serving his country, received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Masters of Public Administration from Shippensburg University, Pa. His U.S. Army military career had many varied assignments, primarily in command and staff positions in the Field Artillery and Aviation Units, with a few research and development projects at the Pentagon.
A graduate of the U.S Army Command & General Staff College and the Army's Military War College, Col. Spence served in an artillery unit during the Korean War and graduated Army flight school, both fixed wing and helicopter. He served two tours in Vietnam, one with the First Cavalry Division and then commanded a battalion with the 101st Airborne.
In peace as well as wartime, he received over 40 awards for combat actions, including the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, 10 Air Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Master Aviator Wings, Air Assault Badge and many other wartime campaign medals.
"NAFA thanks Tom Spence for all he did for us, for the Old Dominion Chapter, and in a greater sense for the United States," Russo concluded. "We are privileged for having had him with us as a member and offer our condolences to his family and friends."
