I wrote the following as part of an essay entitled "A Few Good Men and the Timeless Grace of Goodness."  The section below is entirely about my dear friend Tom Mikula.

For all the years I taught at Truman College, I never did know where Tom Mikula’s office was or if he even had his own office.  He was merely a tutor in biology and the social sciences — he had a master’s in both — and I would see him in the halls from time to time.  Sometimes he would pay me a visit in my office, and after years I realized he did this with many other faculty too.  His visits were never long, 15 minutes or less, and every time he left I was keenly aware of wishing he had stayed longer.  
	Why did I wish that?  What did he bring to those meeting in my office or in the hallways?  It’s now more than 20 years since the last of those meetings, and I cannot tell you a single thing we talked about except sometimes golf — he was a passionate student of the game and all its history — but what I do remember with amazing clarity is the look of sparkling joy yoked to wit and knowledge in his face every time we spoke.  Nothing less than goodness radiated from his face all the years I knew him.  These little visits that he also paid to many other faculty members led me to realize that this unsung and uncelebrated tutor was nothing less than the very soul of the school.  A veritable Mr. Chips without portfolio.
	
There is more to the section about Tom, but there is no more room here to include it.

Tom was a wonderful man. Tom helped numerous students in the biological sciences at Harry S Truman College when he worked as a tutor there. I never once heard a student complained about him; on the contrary, many students praised him. Since we both have retired we have maintained communication with each other despite living in different states now. The Earth sadly now has one fewer good humans. I will miss him for the rest of my life.

Lorin Kane

So sad to hear this, My wife and I really enjoyed talking with Tom at parties and his wit. 

Mike and Jane Helm

The words that comes to mind when I think about Tom is “true gentleman”; he had an old-world charm. He was a deep listener, always interested in learning more about you and talking less about himself. And he was always patient and available to help at Truman and elsewhere. When he was diagnosed with diabetes, he had the discipline to reinvent himself, going from wine connoisseur to coffee drinker, changing his diet and becoming almost svelte! Lately the Dull Men Society went co-ed and invited me in. I always enjoyed our get-togethers at the Harp and Fiddle these past few years. I will truly miss him.

I’m very sadden to hear of the passing of a good friend Tom Mikula.  My Condolences to the family.  

He was a special type of guy, the kind of guy that would do anything in his powers to help a person.  A true  gentleman and friend. 

I always remember the conversations we had and the wonderful person that he was.

I’m thankful to have had a friend like Tom he will be missed. 
RIP my friend you will always be me remembered. 🙏🙏🙏

My condolences to the family. Tom was a first-class gentleman and one of the first colleagues to befriend me when I started teaching at Truman. I will always remember him. May he rest in peace.

David and I , offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tom Mikula . 
Tom was so helpful to our students at Truman . We also enjoyed Tom’s humor and comradeship

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Tom.  I worked with Tom for several years at Truman College.  He was alway a kind person.  Whenever I needed assistance or help with anything,  Tom was always there willing to assist.   I’m honored I’ve got the opportunity to work with you.  Rest in peace Tom🕊️

I have many fond memories of conversations with Tom at Truman.  His gentle nature and endless patience with his students made him a special person for those of us lucky enough to have known him.  Even though I did not see him again after his retirement, I never forgot him and missed his dropping by my office for a chat.

2014, Tom helped me in the Morton Grove 4yh of July parade.

Thomas was a very nice person to everyone and it was nice to have worked with him.  May he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Tom’s family our prayers are with his family.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tom Mikula.
I'm a  Quigley South '68 HS classmate -and I remember Tom's deep resonant voice and his unmistakable high energy laugh.
Met him and friends recently for a luncheon- and after all these years- he did not lose his vocal talents and contagious laugh.
A good man, Tom was an educator and shared stories of Truman College students he taught for many years. He loved teaching.
May his memory be blessed- and may his soul rest in peace-
Requiescat in Pace!

Chester Jakala

Tom Mikula was a great guy, a great friend and a wonderful human being.  Truman College was lucky to have him as a person who could lift the spirits and make a positive impact on students and faculty.  I was lucky to have Tom as a colleague and friend.  The good times and happy moments with Tom will never be forgotten.  Tom made a positive impact on my life and I am a better person for it.  Thank you Tom.  You will always be in my thoughts.

Tom was a good friend of ours for over 50 years. He was a reader at our wedding and saved John from a night of drinking with brothers and friends the night before our wedding. 
He shared in our 50th wedding anniversary in June; but our fondest memories of Tom were his profound insights in our Book Club of more than 20 years. 

He will be greatly missed. He shared many holidays with us, particularly pre-Covid Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners. 
Thankfully we visited with Tom the day before he passed away. We had a wonderful conversation remembering his parents.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Thomas Adam Mikula

2 avril 1950 – 20 novembre 2023

Malec & Sons Funeral Home

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