Thomas Vallen Lutz

Tom passed away peacefully on May 10, 2021 at the age of 73 surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Bloomfield, N.J. joining his brother Bob, currently living with his wife Lee in Garland, TX. Tom is also survived by his adopted son, Kody Gibson and children Haas and Tateum (Phoenix), and his heartfelt family including Sebastian Ramirez Zawala (Galapagos); Todd and Bernice Paris (Seattle); David, and Melissa Ruppelt and children Rhett, Sawyer and Max Thomas (Fort Collins); Jeff and Suzy Hirsch and children Winnie, Tori, Alexa and Gus (Cedaredge), and many more that he impacted throughout his life.

Tom’s family moved to Parma Heights, Ohio where he graduated from Valley Forge High School. After graduating from Arizona State University, he attended Northern State University receiving his Master’s Degree in Zoology and then spent a year teaching at the American School in Cartagena, Columbia. Upon returning to the US and residing in Phoenix, AZ, Tom began the next chapter of his career with the Washington Elementary School District teaching at Orangewood, Royal Palm and Palo Verde schools. He received many teaching awards during his WESD tenure including, “Arizona Teacher of the Year”. Retiring from the Washington School District did not end Tom’s teaching career as he then spent the next 16 years teaching in Phoenix charter schools.

In addition to his teaching career, Tom also served in the Arizona Army National Guard for over 30 years reaching the rank of Command Sergeant Major. During this time, he earned numerous commendations and awards.

The year 2002 began his long and happy love affair with the Galapagos Islands and its people. He established the Galapagos Marine Ecology course for the University of Arizona in 2003 and contributed to creating liaisons between American institutions and the Galapagos society, leaving a mark in the hearts of the people of the Galapagos. Tom also founded the EcoGalapagos Foundation in 2013 to educate and develop the environmental awareness and leadership skills of the youth of the Galapagos Islands. In spite of health challenges, Tom fulfilled his heart’s desire of visiting one last time in April 2021 to say “goodbye” to his beloved island and friends.

As a Biology, Earth Science and Marine Biology teacher for over 40 years and a volunteer leader in Young Life for nearly 25 years, Tom was a beloved teacher, friend and mentor to thousands of students of the United States and the Galapagos Islands, sharing his love of reptiles and all living creatures and forever impacting the lives of many.

And now, Tom, it’s our turn to say “goodbye”. As we know your heart for your Lord and Savior, it’s not really goodbye, it’s “until we meet again, dear friend.”

Tom will be interred at the National Cemetery of Arizona. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Bible Church on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the EcoGalapagos Foundation (ecogalapagos.org) to continue to further Tom's mission to serve and educate youth in the island community or to Trinity Bible Church (tbcphoenix.org).