Professor Thomas V. McEvilly radiated enthusiasm for scientific inquiry and life. Whether it be teaching classic solutions for elastic layered media, advising on configurations for state-of-the-art modules for seismic instrumentation, executing field experiments, being a professor, colleague or friend, Tom was always one of those special people that had a way of conveying his enthusiasm to others. As one of my thesis advisors, Tom was instructive, scientifically stimulating, helpful, and a friend. He always had time to discuss new ideas and provide advice intended to help, whether it be understanding the nature of viscoelastic wave propagation or life in general. His unique understanding of seismic instrumentation and the practicalities of its application were instrumental in the decision to incorporate the first 96 dB (16 bit) A/D into a portable CMOS based digital recorder (GEOS) in order to extend dynamic range and bandwidth for seismic data acquisition. His farsightedness and understanding is clearly born out by today's recorders and his international reputation in this regard as well as other areas of seismology. Professor McEvilly, Tom to us, will be missed as an educator, colleague, and friend, but his zest and sparkle for life will be a lasting impression on us all.