Thomas G. Holmes

Thomas G. Holmes, of Suntree, passed away on June 1, 2012, at the age of 89. Born of American parents in Havana, Cuba on January 13, 1923, Tom spent his formative years riding his pony and swimming in crocodile-infested waters bordering the family fruit groves. He moved with his family to Florida in 1934.

Drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1944, Tom had multiple assignments during World War II, including training on the B-29 gun system, where he learned to maintain the rudimentary computer system that controlled the guns.

In 1946, Tom enrolled in the University of California at Berkeley, earning a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering as well as a Masters degree.

In 1950, Tom went to work at Patrick Air Force Base and was one of six civilian engineers who designed and developed a computer to calculate the trajectory of missiles. Completed in 1953, this computer was revolutionary in its capabilities and was a precursor of the modern computer.

Tom and some of his colleagues then formed their own company, Soroban Engineering, Inc. (later Mohawk Data), where they continued to expand upon the design and development of various aspects of the computer. Tom was also one of the founders of Optical Business Machine, which designed and marketed a general-purpose optical character recognition machine. Tom retired in 1983.

Tom was married to Doris Counselman from 1962 until her death in 1986. Tom later married Marilyn Rotroff, to whom he remained married for 26 years. He was lovingly and enthusiastically adopted by her entire extended family.

Tom will be remembered for his tireless pursuit of knowledge, his lifelong enthusiasm for learning and for his encouragement of others in that pursuit. Tom's thoughtful intelligence, loving advice, and delightful sense of humor endeared him to his family and close friends. He inspired all who knew him, whether in his love for classic music, his belief in the importance of education, or through his kindness and generosity.

Tom's survivors include his wife, Marilyn; son, Tom Rotroff and wife, Ann; son, John Rotroff and wife, Ellen; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Other survivors include a nephew, Bill Cox.

He was predeceased by son, Jeff in 1996.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 4, 2012 at the Florida Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 5950 S. U.S. Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida.

Donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305.

.Published in FLORIDA TODAY on June 3, 2012 .