THOMAS H. ROSENQUIST, Ph.D.
Thomas H. Rosenquist was born in Dubuque, Iowa on February 16, 1942 to Frank and Dorothy Rosenquist and passed away in Edmond, Oklahoma on January 7, 2023.
He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1960 and from The University of Dubuque in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. At the University of Dubuque, he was elected president of the student senate in 1963-64. In 2000 he was awarded the annual Professional Achievement Award from the University of Dubuque Alumni Foundation. After graduation Tom pursued post graduate studies. He received a Master of Science Degree in Zoology in 1967 from New Mexico Highlands University and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology in 1969 from Louisiana State University in New Orleans. He then took a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at the University of Southern California College of Medicine after which he joined the faculty in that department beginning a long career, excelling in both teaching and research.
He moved to The Medical College of Georgia Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in 1973 and rose through the ranks to professor. In 1992 Tom became Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at The University of Nebraska Medical Center. He was Vice Chancellor for Research at UNMC during a
time of great growth and development of the UNMC research enterprise. Tom’s research career flourished. His work in heart development and the causes of congenital heart defects drew many large scale research grants and resulted in hundreds of scientific publications. He was especially proud that his work was cited by other scientists more than 3,000 times and continues to be cited frequently to this day.
He was chairman or member of numerous major federal research grant reviews, including NIH and NASA. He was chairman of the meeting in Toulouse, France, where the biology projects for the joint NASA/European Space Agency “Biorack Flight Opportunities on Shuttle Missions” were selected.
Tom was invited to participate in scientific meetings and symposia all over the world. He and his beloved Dianne loved to travel. He was so pleased that he had visited 4 continents, 22 countries, all 50 Unites States, and that he had lived in all 4 of the United States time zones.
His greatest joys were getting to grow old with Dianne, the love of his life, and watching his three boys grow into fine men. Tom was a devoted fisherman and loved every minute that he spent on the water.
In addition to his parents Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Lee Rosenquist. He is survived by his wife, Dianne; sons Frank Rosenquist (Annmarie) of Charlotte, NC Gunnar Rosenquist (Sarah Aird) of San Francisco, CA and Kevin Eckard of Edmond, OK; grandchildren Megan, Thomas, Ava Rosenquist and Eric Eckard; brothers and sisters In law Ted and Laura King of Marietta, Ga and Randy and Kay King of Pendleton, SC;
along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at All Souls Episcopal Church, 6400 N Pennsylvania Ave Oklahoma City, OK on Friday, February 3rd, 2023, at 11am.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to The University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508. The family of Dr. Rosenquist will be determining an area at UNMC to support in his name.
My sympathy to Toms family. I see that he accomplished so much in his life. I graduated with Tom from Senior High in Dubuque, Iowa. Again…so sorry for your loss.
Having had the pleasure of working with and for Tom Rosenquist, Dr. Rosenquist to most, I can say he was a remarkable person. He loved science and was passionate about research. He also cared deeply about addressing injustice. He could be quite serious and stern but had a great sense of humor. He was balanced in how he addressed problems, including problem people, and he was a mentor to many. He was a visionary as he had to be as the first vice chancellor for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. But he won the respect and support of many as he initiated so many different programs over his time of leadership. And it was well known how much he loved his family. He left a lasting legacy at UNMC, far beyond his research alone, which was also substantial, a legacy that is as much as anyone can hope for. And we now wish him peace. Dianne and family, know that there are many here at UNMC that are thinking about you and share your loss.
comment left on Jan. 11, 2023
I knew Tom for many years before and after he was the Vice Chancellor. He was an outstanding scientist, Chairman and Vice Chancellor. Judy and I become close with Tom and Diane. They attended our daughter wedding and we celebrated many milestones together. We are saddened by his passing. May his memory be a blessing to the Rosenquist family. Our thoughts are with them.
comment left Jan. 11, 2023
I had the incredible fortunate of completing my graduate degree under the mentorship of Dr. Rosenquist. He was a wonderful advisor who became a trusted friend, and ultimately a colleague. He was intelligent, encouraging, and funny, yet also firm and decisive when swift action was needed. He earned the respect and admiration of all who worked with him.
On several occasions, I went to his office frustrated with research progress and ready to quit. Though I am sure I annoyed him, each of those times, he was kind and patient reminding me of the long-term goal and helping me find the path forward. I can still hear his voice telling me that graduate school is about learning the process of discovery, not about finding all the answers. It was, and still is, good advice. We have all lost a great teacher. Dianne and family, our deepest condolences to you.
comment left Jan. 11, 2023
Dr. Rosenquist was a legendary figure at UNMC and will never be forgotten. Even though he had a big job, he never took himself too seriously – that’s what made him special. My condolences to his family on the loss of this great man.
comment left Jan. 12, 2023
I was recruited to UNMC to be the founding director of the Center for Human Molecular Genetics by Tom and Bruce Buehler. Both men served as mentors of sort and provided me with unbelievable opportunities to develop scientifically and clinically. While Tom did not suffer fools, he was an endearing character and someone who I missed greatly following my departure from UNMC and his retirement. I am glad we had the chance to get together one more time in recent years and it was like time never passed. I have great admiration for Tom and I know he will be missed.
comment left Jan. 12, 2023
I was extremely saddened, as so very many had to have been, to hear of Tom’s passing. What a wonderful human being he was. So incredibly down to earth and decent. It is rare to work for and with a person who respects others so completely. I used to loved hearing about the research he did and wanted to get back to, as he would light up just as he did when talking about his family. Here is to you, Tom! Hope you are enjoying a magnificent steak tartare and catching loads of fish!!
comment left Jan. 12, 2023
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. As a fellow Dubuque Senior High School graduate (1960), and a fellow student at The University of Dubuque (1960-1964), we attended many of the biology courses of Dr. Shell. We both graduated with B.S. degrees. Many memories of off campus celebrations with other U of D students.
Jim and I met Tom and Dianne in 1992, when Tom became Chair of the Anatomy Department. It was clear early on that Tom was a man with a vision and a strategy for growing research. During this time, Tom “convinced” Jim to write what became UNMC’s largest grant in history. The project called BRIN and later INBRE was funded by NIH for the purpose of building research capacity, infrastructure and state wide network supporting research activities at eleven institutions of higher education in Nebraska. Initially funded in 2001, this project continues today. Over the years, we enjoyed many departmental social events hosted by Tom and Dianne
Shortly after Tom became Vice Chancellor for Research, I joined his team to help manage UNMC’s growing research enterprise. These were exciting times, filled with research faculty recruitment, construction of new research space and development of top-notch research infrastructure. Tom was decisive and objective; fond of developing metrics and using them to evaluate productivity and the success of his initiatives without subjective bias. His impact on the growth of UNMC’s research enterprise is undeniable.
Tom’s drive was balanced by his wit. He could find humor anywhere; I can’t think of a day in the VCR office when I didn’t laugh at least once. Tom had a presence, an aura of command, that served him well as a leader (although he did not take himself very seriously or seek the limelight). Almost daily, I marveled at his expansive vocabulary. However, Tom’s wit and euphonious voice are the memories I will cherish most. (Secretly, I looked forward to office birthday celebrations for the chance to hear him sing!) It was a pleasure to work with him during his tenure as Department Chair and VCR. We are so very glad to have known him. Above all, Tom was a caring human. He looked out for his team and treated everyone with respect. We definitely miss him and send our heartfelt condolences to Dianne and the family.
My dearest sympathy to Dianne and her family. I knew Tom for years after meeting Dianne first as they were my clients for over 20 plus years . The memories I have of Tom will last a life time. His awesome jokes he would tell me, loved hearing about their travel vacations and I loved to hear about his fishing excursions! Dianne and Tom were more of Family to me than clients. The years of sharing our families adventures have left a special place in my heart for them both. Sending my love and prayers to you Dianne! I know Tom will be dearly missed!!
I just discovered this. My condolences to family and friends. I am so saddened to hear this of my greatest mentor. He was my mentor at the Medical College of Georgia-I graduated in 92′ with my PhD. I can’t put into words the impact he had on my life.
Art, I am so glad to hear from you. I tried unsuccessfully to contact you at the time of Tom’s death because I knew you would want to know. You wrote him a letter some years back that meant so much to him. My email address is drosie@cox.net.
Dianne