48 DECEMBER 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® ASSOCIATION LISTINGS ONLINE IN OUR ABOUT SECTION at: https://www.worldwidedrillingresource.com OR - clink this link: https://www.worldwidedrillingresource.com/association.html In Memoriam Thomas “Tom” Kwader (1952~2025) The WWDR Team is mourning the loss of former Contributing Writer and Consultant Thomas “Tom” Kwader, who sadly passed away on November 5, 2025, at the age of 73. Tom had been with WWDR since its founding on September 3, 2003. He was a personal friend of Doc Faison and Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones. Losing such a dear friend is very difficult, but fond memories will live on throughout years to come. Our love and prayers go out to his loving wife Doris. He was a pioneering hydrogeologist, and beloved member of the Tallahassee, Florida, community. His life was a testament to curiosity, compassion, faith, and quiet generosity. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and moved to Orlando, Florida, at a young age. Tom was a member of the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. In later years, he collaborated with his son Matt who also earned the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout. Tom earned an Associate’s Degree at Seminole Junior College. He moved to Tallahassee to continue his education at Florida State University (FSU) obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and a Ph.D. in Geology. Through college, he worked multiple jobs and graduated with no college debt. In Tallahassee, Tom met the love of his life, Doris Mueller, with whom he shared 24 years of love and adventure, travelling in their Grady White Boats across the Southeastern U.S. and the Bahamas with his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License, deep sea fishing, travelling in their motor home for monthlong Smoky Mountain trips, and most importantly, enjoying their life together on Lake Jackson with the best dogs ever, first Reba and then Maddie. He was an avid Seminole Fan and active member and supporter of Epiphany Lutheran Church. Dr. Kwader was regarded as an international expert on groundwater recovery and treatment systems, as well as injection well technology. He worked for the Northwest Florida Water Management District, becoming a national resource for geophysical logging and geotechnical core analyses. He established the Florida Operation of Woodward-Clyde Consultants and the “founding father” which became URS Corporation and then AECOM, where he was a Vice President and Principal Hydrogeologist. During his life, Dr. Kwader presented more than 60 papers at the national level. In 1996, he was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles, to serve on the Board of Professional Geologists where he continued to serve until 2003. Dr. Kwader wrote for numerous technical journals and publications as a subject matter expert. His work has also been referenced in other states’ environmental regulations. Dr. Kwader mentored many young geologists as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at FSU. With all these crowning achievements, he was frustrated to the end in his inability as a private citizen to convince state and local governments to implement his berm around the Lake Jackson Sink Hole to protect the Floridan Aquifer from the chemicals pouring into the Floridan Aquifer and eventually Wakulla Springs. Tom held a U.S. patent for a “Well Development Tool and Method for Use Thereof” and started Qwater Well Development Company. His invention is used internationally and the methodology is required by some states. As an entrepreneur, Tom owned and managed numerous rental properties across Tallahassee, but he was more than a landlord, he was a mentor and advocate, helping many of those tenants transition into homeownership and build better futures for their families. Tom is survived by his loving wife Doris; mother Elmae; son Matt (Lisa); brother Kevin (Karen); sister Ellie (Jim); sister Maryann (Dominic); Laurrie (Ed); granddaughter Tatum; bonus family Danny (Lexy); and Papa to Nova and Valor, along with the entire Mueller Clan who loved him very much. Tom was preceded in death by his father Stanley and sister Debbie. Lest we forget . . . Tom and his brother Kevin at the South Atlantic JUBILEE in 2009. WWDR photo. WWDR photo of Doris and Tom at the National Ground Water Association event in 2015.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=