Thomas J. Temple, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in Engineering

Oct 20, 2014 | Scholarships

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.

Thomas Temple

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.

Thomas Temple in high school basketball photo, c. 1970.
Tom joined Shell in 1978, where he would work for the next 11 years. After assignments for Shell in Texas and Louisiana, he permanently relocated to Houston in 1989. After his relocation Tom worked for McDermott International, Aker Omega Inc., Granherne Inc., Hudson Engineering, and as an independent consultant for Altura Energy. Through his career, he was involved in projects spanning the globe, spending time in India, Oman, Yemen, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Thomas Temple, on site with Halliburton in Duncan, Oklahoma, c. 1976.
Tom was an active member of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, where he was a trustee for many years, often spending Saturdays volunteering to do repairs and construction work at the church. He played an active role in his three children’s lives and spent weekdays and weekends coaching their soccer, baseball, and softball teams.
Thomas Temple and family on vacation in Colorado, August 1998.

Tom died Dec. 30, 1998.

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