SOCKS, CROCS, AND SO ROCK STEADY

Did you ever take the popular DISC personality test where the results show how high or low you are in the following traits?

D: Dominance, Drive, Direct
I: Influence, Influential
S: Steadiness, Stability
C: Conscientious, Compliant, Careful, Cautious, Calculating

For some people, the test is unnecessary because it's so obvious where they will score the highest, and Tom Glaser is one of those people. The "S" on his DISC chart spikes higher than my blood pressure during customer service calls. His "C" comes in second, but it's not a very close race. And "D" and "I" hang out at his baseline, but more about those later.

You see, today (January 28, 2022) is Tom's last full workday. On Monday, he'll drive into downtown Pittsburgh to the office - where he spent almost every weekday these last 40 years - turn in his laptop, clean out his desk, and ride off into the sunset of retirement. Tom is trading the stressful world of IT, billing cycles, complicated systems, red tape, and endless meetings for golf, a YMCA membership, traveling, and (no doubt) wearing socks and Crocs to Walmart - or anywhere else he pleases, whenever he pleases.

And I couldn't be more proud or grateful.

Tom's job titles and locations changed multiple times through the years, and he survived several sweeping downsizings and at least one extremely challenging boss. But, as with everything in his life, Tom remained a faithful and committed employee. And while he moved through the ranks in his career, he managed to maintain his priorities as a great husband, father, and friend to many. 

Tom's steady and stable nature has been the glue that has held our family together in more ways than one. Day in and day out, he has been as faithful and consistent as the rising and setting sun. Shortly before he passed, Tom's father wrote him a poem titled "Call on Tom," beautifully expressing his appreciation for all of the ways he could always count on Tom. All four of our sons could tell you countless stories of the times that their dad has shown up for them. (If you know him, I'm sure you have stories too.) And, me? Well, I always say that without Tom Glaser in my life, I would probably be in jail. And that's barely an exaggeration.

When it comes to the DISC personality traits, "I" and "D" tend to get all the shine. The people high in those characteristics have no trouble making themselves known and working toward their own lofty goals. But it's those steady, conscientious, quiet, and careful ones who faithfully and humbly work to make the world go round for others. That's Tom. The thing he looks forward to the most in his retirement is having more time to volunteer with the causes most dear to his heart. Tom sets the "good guy" standard so high and inspires others to reach it just by being himself.

On June 1, 1981, as a fresh-faced college graduate with his whole life ahead of him, Tom accepted a civil engineering starting position with Duquesne Light Company. Not long after that, an equally fresh-faced young girl landed a job at the same company, eventually in the same building and on the same floor. Little did he know at the time that he would be spending the rest of his life with both of us.

I hope Duquesne Light knows how lucky they were to find a guy like Tom Glaser. As for the rest of us, there was never any doubt.

A surprise party for us at the office before our wedding.

When Tom transferred from the power station to a downtown office and had to start wearing suits.

A retirement party at Primanti Bros.