In an era of frequent job-hopping, Roy Tom stands out as a beacon of dedication and longevity.
For 57 years, Tom has been the steady hand behind the scenes at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Natural Sciences, crafting the tools that enable scientific discovery.
Tom, a machinist in the department’s shop, calls this his “first, only and last job.” He started on June 15, 1967, fresh out of Honolulu Community College’s machine shop program. Tom’s older brother encouraged him to enroll in Honolulu CC’s program. After graduation, Tom was introduced to the UH Mānoa position from a classmate who started a year earlier.
“Back then, it was so funny. You go for a job interview with the chair, you shake his hand and you start the next week,” Tom recalled with a chuckle.
Over nearly six decades, Tom has had a front-row seat to the evolution of physics and astronomy research at UH Mānoa. He’s fabricated components for projects ranging from radio communication to Antarctic expeditions.
One of Tom’s most memorable projects was a Foucault pendulum installed in the atrium of Keller Hall. The 500-pound aluminum sphere, filled with lead shot, demonstrated Earth’s rotation.
“You would think the ball was moving, but in theory, the Earth is moving under the ball,” Tom explained.
Fabricating for the future
Tom’s expertise extends beyond the campus. Since 2000, he has mentored the McKinley High School Robotics team. This year, the team won a regional competition in Los Angeles and advanced to the World Championships.
Despite the changing landscape of higher education and manufacturing, Tom’s hands-on skills remain crucial for the success of the department. Today, Tom continues to work alongside students on cutting-edge projects. This summer, he’s assisting students in fabricating containers for moon dust research.
“I like what I’m doing, the people I work with,” he said.
As retirement looms on the horizon, Tom hints he might consider it at 60 years of service.
“I’ve seen a lot of people come and go,” Tom said. “I hope I’ve made a difference.”
For generations of UH Mānoa physicists and astronomers, there’s no doubt that he has.
“As department chair and faculty, I had the pleasure to work with Roy, who has been an invaluable member of our Physics and Astronomy department for 57 years, consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication and expertise,” said Professor and Chair Veronica Bindi. “His contributions to our projects, faculty, and students have significantly advanced our research capabilities and the smooth operation of our department. Roy’s commitment to excellence and his collaborative spirit have made him a cornerstone of our department.”
As the university looks to the future, it will be challenged to find someone with Tom’s combination of skill, dedication and institutional knowledge. For now, though, the machine shop hums along, with Roy Tom at the helm—his hard work is part of the foundation of the university.
—By Marc Arakaki
