Posted by Arthur W. Banister on August 25, 2003:

By way of eulogy, I would like to post this excerpt from 49-OL #322, dated 4/7/02: "As many of you know, Tom Pratt died on 15 Feb in Oceanside (Long Island), NY. The proximate cause of death was a brain tumor and lung cancer. His residence in recent years was Rockville Centre, NY. He left no children but is survived by a brother, also a grad (John Pratt '55). Tom joined the Air Force after graduation and became a navigator, but left the service in 1953 and thereafter became something of a recluse. Despite this, he retained a lifelong pride in his West Point heritage and always enjoyed hearing news of his classmates. He did not attend any reunions, but contributed to the 50th reunion class gift to the Academy. It is always sad to see a classmate fall from the ranks, but especially so for Tom, whose great potential, for reasons unknown, was never fulfilled. His final epitaph, from his brother John, perhaps says it best, 'Now he is at peace'." I can only add, "I miss you, Tom - may we meet again." Your old buddy, Art Banister.

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