Thomas Meixner

Thomas Meixner grew up in Maryland with his parents, Raymond and Elizabeth, and three older sisters, Anne, Margaret, and Joan.  He was known as “Dr. Dirt” by his college roommates and earned his bachelor’s degrees in the History of Science and Soil and Water Conversation from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1992.  He headed west to continue his education at the University of Arizona where he met his wife, Kathleen.  He earned his doctorate in Hydrology and Water Resources at the U of A in 1999, and started his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Riverside from 1999 until 2004.

In 2005 he was welcomed back by his alma mater, the University of Arizona, to join the Hydrology and Water Resources department, and several years later was asked to lead the merged Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences department as its department head.  He balanced his commitment to research, teaching, and service at the U of A with his commitment to family life as he and Kathleen raised their sons, Sean and Brendan.  He mentored his sons and many other young people through his leadership in the Scouts of America.  

Tom was an expert in water conservation and desert water issues, through the lens of biogeochemistry.  He was known for his support of and collaboration with students, staff, and faculty alike, in doing the important work of researching and protecting our precious resource – water.  One of his favorite activities each year at the University of Arizona was co-teaching a field course for undergraduates and graduates to support their learning of water concepts with a field camp experience of hands-on projects to make those concepts concrete and applicable to real life.  

On October 5, 2022, just after Tom finished teaching a class, he was tragically ambushed and murdered by a former student from the department.  The world of Tom’s family, friends, department, University, and scientific communities was shattered.  

Tom made an incredible difference in the lives of so many people and communities during his short 52 years of life.  He was faith-filled, hopeful, and determined to make the world a better place.  The Meixner Memorial Foundation strives to pick up those shattered pieces, to remember and honor Thomas Meixner by positively moving forward, supporting outstanding education through a 1 year master’s program in hydrogeology, which will prepare generations of students to impact their own communities in transformative ways.