The Thomas J. Temple, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in Engineering was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on Oct. 20, 2014, to benefit The University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering. This scholarship was fubded by his daughter Mrs. Anna Temple Speer and her husband, William Speer, both graduates of The University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering, in celebration of Tom’s life and legacy.

Tom was born Jan. 3, 1953, to Ruby and (Thomas) Jack Temple, Sr. and raised in Texas City, Texas. The son of a chemical plant operator, Thomas graduated from Texas City High School in 1971, where at 6 foot 4 inches, he was a three-year starter for the men’s varsity basketball team. His grades earned him membership in the National Honor Society.

At The University of Texas, Tom was the Mechanical Engineering representative on the Engineering Student Council and an active member of the University Rifle Club. While a student at Texas he met and married Robin Arbogust of Austin. Tom graduated with a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering  in 1975. Upon graduation he worked for Halliburton in Duncan, Oklahoma, as a production engineer.

Tom died Dec. 30, 1998.