Thomas “Tom” E. Hendrick

SCOTTSDALE – Thomas E. “Tom” Hendrick passed away on August 5, 2018. He was 81 years old. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Kathleen Law Hendrick, his sons Thomas Cameron Hendrick, Ryan K. Cochran, daughter Jennifer A. Hendrick, daughter Allison who predeceased him, grandchildren Eve Dean, Amelie Dean and Taylor Cochran and future daughter-in-law Jennifer Park. Tom was born May 16, 1937 in Seattle, the son of Dorothea and Calvin Wayne Hendrick. Growing up in Seattle, he attended the University of Washington where he earned a BS and MBA degrees. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. This was followed by a PH.D. in Business from the University of Oregon where he was a National Defense Fellow. He worked his way through his undergraduate program by working at a local hardware store and being a weekend handyman. Consequently, he could “fix” anything and always remained humble. Tom began his teaching and research career in higher education at the University of Colorado – Boulder (for 13 years) where he earned the rank of full professor. While at CU Boulder he co-authored a text book on production/operations management which has been used in courses in several hundred colleges and universities. In 1983 Tom joined the faculty at Arizona State University, where he retired after 23 years of service. While at ASU, Tom was Senior Faculty Research Associate for the Center for Advanced Purchasing Studied (CAPS) where he led several research projects, authored journal articles, and directed over 40 executive roundtable programs throughout the world. Other international experiences included two summers in the Republic of China as a consultant to their power and petroleum industries, and acting dean for the European Institute for Purchasing Management. Among several honors and awards were “MBA Supply Chain Management Professor of the Year”, John Deere Faculty Fellow, and National Defense Fellow. Tom as an active consultant to several firms, in including Motorola, Maricopa Medical Center, John Deere and Accenture. Above all he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His greatest happiness was in camping, fishing, scouting, gardening and teaching his children to love the great outdoors. He loved attending ASU football games and cheering on the AZ Cardinals. His international career allowed him to take his children all over the world and he taught them to respect and appreciate all cultures. Tom was a quiet, kind, gentle man with a pronounced inner strength and a keen sense of humor. He never had an unkind word to say about anyone. He was loved by all who knew him. He had a brilliant mind and cheerful personality all the way through to his last days. He fought a good fight with Parkinson’s Disease for 24 years and in lieu of flowers would appreciate donations to The Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center. All donations can be made by check to: 124 W. Thomas, Ste 250, Phoenix AZ 85013 (Please make any checks to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center and please note “In Memory of Thomas Hendrick”. Web: Supportbarrow.org (designation: Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center).