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Remembering Tom -- Memorials
- The UI math department sponsors a memorial for Tom
- Lensing Funeral Home also provided Tom's friends and family with a chance to express themselves as listed below
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Tom was born October 10, 1953 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the son of Gordon and Patricia (Wolf) Branson. On June 7, 1991 he married Susanne Hansen in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Tom received his B.A. and M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago. In 1979, he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He had taught at Purdue University from 1979-1985 and was an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa from 1985-90.
In 1990, he became a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Iowa, where his research interests include the spectral theory of partial differential operators, mathematical physics, differential geometry, analysis and representations of lie groups and automated symbolic computation.
His honors include the University Scholar and the Paul Cohen Prize, for outstanding graduating senior in Mathematics, from the University of Chicago and the Faculty Scholar Award from the University of Iowa.
Tom was a well-known mathematician with over 70 published scientific papers. His research interests spanned a large area of modern mathematical physics and differential geometry, and he made several important contributions to these subjects. He found new classes of wave equations analogous to those for zero-mass particles and made profound studies of their geometric properties; he introduced a new curvature invariant now important in quantum field theory, and he was a leading expert in calculating explicitly many other invariants associated with differential equations arising in physics and geometry.
Tom cherished the time spent with his wife, daughters and his siblings. He enjoyed running, working out, and making pancakes for Sara and Eva.
He is survived by, his wife Susanne; two daughters Sara and Eva; his six siblings,
Mary (Timothy) Konop, Bill (Kelly) Branson and Dick (Diane) Branson, all of
La Crosse, WI, Jim (Mary Woo) Branson of San Diego, CA., Pat (Nancy) Branson of
Appleton, WI, Mike (Milissa) Branson of Rochester,MN.; his mother-in-law, Lissie Hansen of Copenhagen, Denmark, sister-in-laws, Jane (Ivan) Jensen of Viby Sj., Denmark and Linda (Carl) Abrahamsen of Roskilde, Denmark and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law.
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| Posted at: 3/27/2006 11:15:22 AM |
| By: Gopal Borde |
Susanne,
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.
I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
May God give enough strength to face it.
Gopal Borde |
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| Posted at: 3/18/2006 11:32:20 AM |
| By: Libin Mou |
Dear Susanne, Sara, and Eva,
I am very sad for Tom's untimely passing. Tom is not only a brilliant mathematician but also a good friend, a respectful person with a gentle heart, and a loving and caring family man. I was lucky to acquaint Tom in the early nineties and then had the opportunity to work with him at UI for two years. I am so grateful for his help and guidance on my career; his kindness, hospitality and good sense of humor are forever remembered.
Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with you during this sorrow time. My you be comforted and strengthened by the extraordinary spirit Tom had lived, by his utmost love for all of you, by prayers and helps of your families and friends, and by His everlasting love.
Sincerely,
Libin (and Ruby)
mou@bradley.edu
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| Posted at: 3/16/2006 10:54:00 PM |
| By: Robert D Johnson |
I am sorry to hear of Tom's passing, and my prayers go out to his family. I met Tom several times over the years, and a mutual friend from La Crosse, Sandy Lewis, would update me on his activities. Tom was a remarkable person, from a remarkable family, and his many qualities, kindness and sense of humor, brilliance and work ethic, were an inspiration to many people. He will be missed.
robertdj@us.ibm.com |
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| Posted at: 3/16/2006 7:42:56 PM |
| By: David Marcou |
I was only acquainted with Tom through my friendship with his brother Mike.
Several years ago, following a basketball game involving myself and some of the Branson brothers, Tom made a hilarious comment that still makes me laugh when I think about it today.
I hope that remembering Tom's sense of humor will offer some comfort to your family during this very difficult time. |
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| Posted at: 3/16/2006 3:50:48 PM |
| By: David Priebe |
Susanne,
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. |
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| Posted at: 3/16/2006 10:57:26 AM |
| By: Regina Chihak |
My condolences to Tom's wife and daughters. I did not know Tom personally, but am fortunate to be aquainted with his sister Mary and her family in La Crosse.
Mary and Tim: All of us in music ministry at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in La
Crosse are praying for you and Tom.
rzarta@yahoo.com |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 5:08:08 PM |
| By: Liana de Jong |
Dear Susanne, Sara and Eva
We were so shocked and saddened to hear about Tom's passing. We have such lovely memories of his visits to New Zealand, and we will miss him. Please accept our thoughts, prayers and love.
Liana, Rod, Angelina and Ari Gover |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 2:46:24 PM |
| By: Steve Bowers |
| Susanne, I just wanted you to know how sorry I am about the sudden loss of your husband Tom. You are in my thoughts and prayers. |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 1:46:14 PM |
| By: Nancy Steffen |
Susanne, Sara and Eva...
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for your sudden loss of Tom... I am sorry I'm unable to attend Tom's services... May your memories comfort you and your faith give you strength during this difficult time... Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers... I am so sorry for your loss, Nancy Steffen... |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 1:35:16 PM |
| By: Jan Taylor |
Dear Susanne,
I worked with you at ADP back before 1993. I was deeply saddened when my son Brad Taylor, also an ITS employee, told me of Tom's death. I, also, was widowed too early. It is a loss you will never get over, but in time, life will go on. Cherish memories, your daughters and eventually grandchildren and all of the wonderful things still to come in your life.
Sincerely,
Jan Taylor |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 1:19:43 PM |
| By: Fred Goodman |
| Tom was an international leader in geometry by the strength of his own scientific work and by his organization of workshops at mathematics institutes throughout the world. He was pillar of the mathematics department. And he was a good friend. I am amazed that he is gone. I miss him. |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 1:13:31 PM |
| By: Dawn Slezak |
Susanne,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. May god give you the strength to grieve and remember. |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 11:05:52 AM |
| By: Melecia Ingram |
| I am deeply sorry for your loss. May God comfort and bless you. |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 10:42:00 AM |
| By: Chip Applegath |
Our many thoughts and prayers are with the extended Branson family this week.
-Mike's friends and colleagues at IBM in Rochester MN.
applegth@us.ibm.com |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 9:20:56 AM |
| By: Carolyn Muchow |
Tom was a member of our family for many years, having been married to my sister Stephanie (Harry) from 1975-87. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his death, and would like to express my sympathy on behalf of the Harry family to his siblings, wife and daughters. May God Bless you all.
my email:cmuchow@hclib.org |
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| Posted at: 3/15/2006 9:04:57 AM |
| By: Ken Isler |
My deepest sympathies to Susanne, Sara, Eva and all of Tom's Family! So very shocked at Tom's passing!
I grew up with Tom and his siblings from kindergarten through high school. With all those brothers and ONE sister, it was always a party on 21st and Main in La Crosse! Tom and clan would compete for just about anything! For a couple of years, Mr. Branson made an Ice rink in the yard. We had Miracle on Ice every day! I also remember the juke box in the basement that added to the party atmosphere and what made Tom forever a Classic Rocker. I still play in bands myself and just a couple of weeks ago in an e-mail, had mentioned trying to get up to La Crosse to hear us.
I could go on and on about my earlier memories of Tom, and when I see Bill, Mary, ,Jim, Pat or Dick, I am sure we'll toast a great brother and a great friend!
alpinevideo@centurytel.net |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 9:25:26 PM |
| By: Dottie Freeman |
| I am a cousin of Tom's living in La Crosse. I was very saddened to hear of his death. Please accept my deepest sympathy. |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 9:25:20 PM |
| By: Dottie Freeman |
| I am a cousin of Tom's living in La Crosse. I was very saddened to hear of his death. Please accept my deepest sympathy. |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 8:46:26 PM |
| By: Jenny Britton |
We are so sad to hear of Tom's passing. We have been out of touch since Sara and our son Joe were at Alice's Rainbow together. Tom & I served on the Alice's Board of Directors and I am glad for the extra time to get to know him better. I especially remember Tom & Suzanne's kindnesses before I took a trip to Denmark with Joe.
Warmly,
Jenny Britton and Tom Saeugling, together with our sons Seth and Joe |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 5:26:30 PM |
| By: Jenny (Genung) Droll |
Susanne, Sara, & Eva,
You may not remember me but I was one of Sara and Eva's teachers at Rainbow daycare. Tom was a wonderful father! I remember Sara and Eva always being so happy to see him when he came to pick them up at daycare. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 5:11:56 PM |
| By: Palle Jorgensen |
We miss you, Tom.
Palle |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 2:09:02 PM |
| By: Walter Seaman |
Tom Branson was respected all over the world for his insights, originality and productivity in Mathematics. Those of us who learned from him will greatly miss the clarity and effectiveness of his ideas in differential geometry, and especially applications of representation theory to that subject, and analysis of differential operators. So having Tom participate in seminars and additional academic and administrative work was always a joy. In addition to shouldering much more than his fair share of intellectual and administrative work in mathematics, Tom also had a great sense of humor. In seminars and meetings over the years I knew him he could always find just the right double entendre or funny pop culture reference at the right time to keep us all in stitches. He contributed a tremendous amount to the mathematics community nationally and internationally. And it was clear that Tom cherished his time spent with Susanne, Sara and Eva.
His untimely passing will be felt for a long time.
walter-seaman@uiowa.edu |
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| Posted at: 3/14/2006 11:03:25 AM |
| By: Gestur Olafsson |
Tom was a great friend and a great person,
not to talk about him as a mathematican. We will all miss him. |
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