I am deeply shocked by the news of Tobias’s passing away. During the two years he was following the MSc in Flood Risk Management he left a deep impression on us. A combination of super smartness, modesty and kindness gave him a unique personality. We always found him to be deeply interested in studies. He was always present in the class, and if he had to go somewhere, he was very polite to inform me in advance. He was never showing off. But when I was going trough his assignment reports, I realised that he was genuinely exceptional. I was very pleased when Tobias contacted me and expressed his interests to do PhD. It would have been nice to have him here to do PhD, but Toby was determined to go back to his country. He got admitted to the University of Texas at Austin. Tobias had so much to give to the flood community and to this world. His untimely demise is truly painful. 

Last week, in our department meeting we once again talked about Tobias. We all are profoundly shocked. We have no words to comfort his parents, brothers and other near and dear ones but we do share your pain. We wanted to let you know that he was very much loved and respected here. May his soul rest in peace. 

Biswa Bhattacharya, IHE Delft, The Netherlands (also on behalf of the Hydroinformatics staff members:  Andreja Jonoski, Arlex Sanchez Torres, Claire Michailovsky, Claudia Bertini, Ioana Popescu, Leonardo Alfonso and Schalk Jan van Andel).

I heard about Tobias on the IHE Delft website in the Netherlands. I graduated from there in 2000, although I didn't know Tobias personally, but I offer my sincerest condolences to his parents. Three years ago, I lost my 11-year-old daughter to a very aggressive form of lupus.
I know what his parents are going through, and I want to tell them that I am with them despite the distance. Tobias must be in heaven with God. My deepest condolences to you.

We met Tobias three years ago when our daughter Melanie married his brother August. On the day of the wedding, the four brothers were happy, laughing and boisterous. You could see the joy they found in being together. It is a memory we will always treasure. 

Tobias was thoughtful and kind. He was funny and smart, modest and authentic. He had an easy smile and a great laugh. Tobias was a bright light and will remain so for everyone who knew him. In his 25 years he accomplished so much and made the world a better place. 

Our prayers are for Mekayle and John and their family, that they find the strength and courage to endure this greatest of sorrows. May his memory always be a blessing. 

Natalie and Michael Hochman

My deepest condolences to Toby's family and loved ones. Toby's enthusiasm, kindness, and brilliant mind made an impression on everyone who knew him. His loss is deeply felt by the entire community. My thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time.

With sympathy,

Juan P. Maestre

I met Toby during our Erasmus master’s in Flood Risk Management. I was the only Brazilian, so I was very happy to meet someone else who could speak Portuguese. Toby, of course, had perfect English from Tennessee, but he also spoke very good Portuguese and Spanish!

Toby and I lived on the same floor in Dresden, and I was lucky to share some meals with him. This video comes from one of those nights. We had feijoada, made by our other neighbor Saulo, and after eating he decided to learn some Brazilian forró.

Toby was always so kind, funny, and smart, and everybody around him loved him. I feel really lucky to have met him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

I was Toby’s PhD advisor. This photo is from one of our research group’s pizza parties at my condo in Austin, TX. We made pizzas together, and as one of the newest members of the group, Toby was in charge of making one. It turned out so delicious that half of it was gone before we even took the picture!
Toby was an exceptional student. We had admitted him to the UT program at the Master’s level, and he told me early on that he would take the Erasmus opportunity if it came through—and he did. He also said he would apply for the PhD once he returned, and he kept that promise. I was thrilled to have him in my group and in my class.
He excelled in my course—his exams were flawless—and he began fascinating research on decision-making under deep uncertainty in the context of flooding. When I announced that I would be leaving UT Austin to join ETH Zurich, Toby carefully considered his options and decided to follow. He had planned to come to Zurich as well. When we met in January, we talked about seeing each other again in the Alps.
Toby will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. It will be my privilege to dedicate many future research endeavors to his memory.
My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with his family and loved ones—I hope they find comfort in knowing how much Toby touched the lives of those around him and how profoundly he will be missed.

I had the pleasure to co-supervise Tobias during his master studies in Barcelona. He was always keen to learn new things. I will personally always remember his smile and how lucky I was to have such a clever first student to teach.  More importantly, I’m glad to have met him, and I’m sure he left a mark on everyone who met him along the way.
My profound condolences to all his loved ones. May he rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened by the news of Tobias’s passing. I had the privilege of co-supervising his Master’s thesis in Barcelona, and he always impressed us with his dedication, intellectual ability, and bright spirit. We tried many times to persuade him to stay in Spain for his PhD, but he was very certain about the path he wished to follow. He was a remarkable young man, and although we stayed in touch and were aware of his condition, his passing has affected us profoundly. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this painful and difficult time.

OBITUARY

Tobias Dillon Houghton

March 31, 2000 – December 5, 2025

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home

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