 |
| Tom Bashara at Pavement Test Plots in Austin, TX |
Earlier today I was shocked to learn of the loss of my friend and colleague, Tom Bashara. He was a young man with a young family which deepens our sense of loss.
Often the USGS has anonymously referred to Tom as “an astute City of Austin employee” who noticed that just above a contaminated stream tributary was a freshly sealed coal tar lot. He was the first to figure out that coal tar sealants are a potent source of pollution; the co-author of numerous papers on the subject; the first and main “boots on the ground” enforcement officer of Austin’s coal tar sealant ban; and the co-inventor of the field test for determining the presence of coal tar sealant. He never wanted the limelight, only to make a difference, which he did immensely.
Update 5-24-11: Here’s an edited video of the Austin City Council meeting in 2005 where Tom is acknowledged as the discoverer of this PAH source:
Much more than this, he was an example of true Christian character; a hard worker at home and at the office; forgiving and willing to help out others as much as he could; a devoted family man; a brilliant, creative man who was a tremendous resource for problem solving; and always good for a laugh or joke. It is with the spirit of laughter that I have included a copy of a video I made of him testing a parking lot. He said he laughed so hard at it, that he spilled coffee all over himself. We’ll miss you my friend!
City of Austin Names Creek in Honor of Coal Tar Sealant Pollution Pioneer Tom Bashara