Dear Gordon,
Since I cannot attend the retirement ceremony for my good friend Tom Devlin, I hope that you can find time to read this note at the event and then pass it on to him.
Tom Devlin and I have been friends since we attended LaSalle High School in Philadelphia from 1949 to 1953. We both went on to LaSalle College ( now University ) and graduated in 1957. Tom was a swimmer and I was on the basketball team. We both majored in Physics along with about eight others. We then chose graduate schools at the opposite ends of the country---Tom to Berkeley and I to Hopkins. We have never collaborated but have always been friends. We met at meetings and labs around the world where our friendship was renewed. I think our last meeting together was at the 50th reunion of our high school class.
During our college days, Tom was a hard act to follow. He was always a leader in academics. I remember that he taught himself calculus during the summer while I did some useless things like shooting hoops or visiting the Jersey shore. He was aggressive and inquisitive and smart and most of us knew he was heading for a solid career in physics. Finally, I have beaten him at something. I retired a few years before he.
Tom has left his mark on numerous very good experiments and we all know about his contributions at Fermilab. And I'm guessing he's not really retiring from physics.
Tom, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in retirement. Your professional career has been outstanding. You've made maximum use of the talents awarded to you and I'm certain that Nancy, your sons, and your colleagues are quite proud of you. So, Tom, I silently raise my glass in the direction of New Jersey and toast you on this very special day. You've come a long way since Jenkintown and Philly!
Bob
Robert W. Kraemer
Professor of Physics, Emeritus
Carnegie Mellon University