Thomas A. Vyse ’54

Tom died Oct. 21, 2020.

He was born in Shanghai, where his father was with the State Department. The family was evacuated at the beginning of World War II and his father was assigned to various posts in South America. Thus began Tom’s lifelong love of travel.

Tom attended St. George’s School in Rhode Island, where he was active in soccer, publications, and student government. At Princeton he majored in politics and was a member of Cap and Gown. After service in the Army, stationed at the 7th Army Intelligence post in Oberursel, Germany, he attended the School of Architecture at Berkeley, studied Spanish in Mexico, and attended the Hastings Law School of the University of California.

He practiced law as an admiralty attorney in Long Beach, Calif., for 33 years and retired in 1995. He was a member of the state bar association for more than 50 years and a member of the Long Beach Yacht Club for 48 years.

Characterized by of his friends as “a gentle man and a gentleman,” he was involved with several civic and charitable organizations such as the Fine Arts Affiliates, dedicated to fostering the arts at California State University, Long Beach and securing scholarship funds for college students.

Tom is survived by his wife, Dolores; in-laws Norman and Donna Mourer; and many cousins.