I met Tom when he and I sat on the Colorado Ballet board. We shared many wonderful moments. Sadly I learned of his death as 
I was  viewing the Hawaii Ballet Compnay production of the nutcracker in a Covid version in 2020. 

I am so very sad to learn of his death, he shall always be in my prayers.

David Nilges
Ko Olina, HI



Oh Tom. I guess your long term health care plan sadly came to fruition. You warned anyone who knew you. I wish I could have had one more intelligent, witty, fantastic conversations that still excite me when I think about each one. I loved you and never told you how important knowing you was to me. I miss you already. Enjoy the eternal rest. I can only hope it will be better than what you may have been facing. Good night Maestro. You will be missed.

Tom and I were friends twenty years ago when we both had condos in Brooks Tower. I am so saddened by his death. He was such a talent.  Here is a poem I wrote about Tom. He liked it and hung it in his 40F condo. God Bless him. He was a kind soul and maybe the most complex person I have known.  

Tom

I have a friend in 40F,
Tom Jensen is his name.
He has blue walls and a big red chair,
and his art depicts his fame.

He has a way about him
that is brash yet debonair.
His presence demands notice,
He approaches nothing without flair.

Tom’s thought and action spin around
one topic, “Don’t you know.”
It starts with “S” and ends with “X.”
His testosterone does show.

Linguistics skills and classic song
are two of Tom’s fine gifts.
He’s a maestro beyond reproach,
and his talk shows are all hits. 

He’s sometimes called a “Motor Mouth,”
insensitive and crass.
But when the real Tom does shine through
he’s like exquisite, polished brass.

He criticizes all I do.
Sometimes he brings me down.
But usually, he’s a sincere friend,
a friend I’m glad I found!
                                                            
Dr. Goble 12/98



It was the autumn of 1970 that Tom and I were introduced by chance as bassists in the St. Paul Civic Symphony which met on the campus of Macalester College under the direction of Maestro Edouard Forner. We shared the first desk under his baton for 3 years. Very quickly we became dear friends and stand partners.  Often sharing after-rehearsal snacks with each other and my wife. In 1975 our lives were suddenly separated and for the next 40 years we would not see or visit with each other. Fast forward to April 2014. I was searching for contact information about our undergraduate conducting mentor Maestro Forner, when I chanced upon his obituary providing the information that a Memorial gathering for him would take place within the week. My wife and I decided to attend and share our gratitude for this remarkable man and all of the contributions that he had made to our early married lives. While at the gathering, we made the acquaintance of his wife Jan. She connected the dots and put me and Tom Jensen together 40 years earlier. She let Tom know of my existence and he connected via FaceBook and a phone call. It was as if we had never been separated. We got together for a wedding event in Denver the next year and following that made arrangements for me to meet his orchestra to share some conducting techniques we had both learned from Mr. Forner. That event occurred last year. From our first phone encounter until our last one on June 4, 2018 we had been visiting by phone at least twice a week, often late at night or while Tom was commuting somewhere.  I certainly valued these conversations and reigniting our friendship now to include Tom's dear wife Sandi as well. These times will now be a lasting and loving memory and for now we must say goodbye in this life. RIP dear friend. You will always be loved as a brother and sorely missed. 

Tommy was my dear friend and phone caller when he was in the hot tub with a fine cigar and glass of juice, yes, not wine😀.  There are really no words to describe how I felt about him except to thank him for his laughter, his caring, his talent, his heart and his impeccable taste in Hugo Boss clothes.  A joy was had by all at our little reunion he employed me to work on, and my wonderful Christmas I had in Colorado.  Those memories and more will forever be a part of Tommy.  RIP fine sir, you were adored❤️

Tom and I were schoolmates at Groveland Elementary and Highland Junior and Senior High School.  Silly as it seems, we both remembered when I was a police girl at Groveland and took his yo yo away. Last year at this time he hosted a mini-reunion at which we exchanged the yo yo’s we had brought for each other. I appreciated his accomplishments in music, sardonic wit, and enthusiasm for life. I am truly shocked and sad to learn of his death. A major talent and good person is gone too soon. Rest in peace Tom, and know that you are missed. Wishing good memories and peace to all who loved and miss him.

I hadn't known Tom for that long -- but was always cheered by his twinkling eyes
and delightful conversations.  He was so interesting -- had done so much -- been 
involved in exciting things like radio and conducting -- things I had no clue about.
So I was impressed with his confidence to tackle those things.  His was a "big"
personality -- and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him -- and especially
by those who loved him.  rest in peace Tom.

OBITUARY

Thomas Harlan Jensen

April 11, 1951 – June 6, 2018

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Crown Hill

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