I was a student of then-Major(P) Witt in 1983-84 when he was the first Professor of Military Science of a new ROTC program in Mankato, MN.  I often reflect on 3 teachers in my life that were the inspirations for all that I have accomplished in the 41 years since college. Tom is one of those three.  He administered my oath of office in June, 1984.

I still have a green Skillcraft felt tip pen, long since dried out, and will have it the rest of my life.  I don't know when it started but for as long as I knew him, the green felt tip was his trademark.  If you saw green initials on those old yellow routing slips, you knew they were his.

From time to time, out of sheer curiosity,  I'll look up a name from the distant past. Can remember that booming voice from the late '70s, when then-Captain Witt worked in the Frankfurt Military  Community and later was commander of RPC Frankfurt. He was a good guy who out-ranked me considerably, but worked in a lower headquarters. We had some occasionally contentious dealings over personnel matters, but he always seemed well-meaning and conscientious, particularly when later circumstances made him my commanding officer at the RPC.  My condolences to hi family.

Tom Witt arrived in Olivia, Minnesota probably late in the elementary school years. He lived in a big house on Main Street very close to school. Tom had a deep, deep voice even at that age. He also had a classic cowlick in his front hairline that I always admired. I'm sorry he lost his hair later on so that others might have seen the cowlick. He liked to joke and laugh. He was a kind person who cared about other's feelings. I don't think our paths crossed after high school graduation. All of us knew somehow that he would end up in the military. He did well in that regard and the folks of Olivia, Minnesota should be proud of him.