We joined together at work to celebrate Tom. Here is what I shared...

We gather here today to celebrate the life of Tom Rauso—a dear friend, a trusted co-worker, and a truly remarkable human being. It’s never easy to sum up the essence of a person like Tom in a few words, but as we gather here, I hope to do justice to the man who brought so much light, laughter, and dedication into our lives.

Tom was passionate about our work together, driving lab efficiency to new heights. It wasn’t just a job for him; it was a mission. From the moment I met him his enthusiasm was infectious. Working alongside Tom wasn’t just productive—it was inspiring. He brought a unique energy to our team, always thinking two steps ahead while ensuring everyone felt valued and included.

Beyond work, Tom had a rich assortment of passions. He loved baseball with the heart of a true fan, finding joy in the strategy, the camaraderie, and the thrill of the game. He was equally at home with his guitar in hand, playing music that seemed to echo the joy and depth of his soul. And then there was the great outdoors, where Tom found peace and adventure, whether in the deserts of Arizona, the mountains of North Carolina, or simply marveling at nature’s beauty in his backyard.

But what truly set Tom apart was not just what he did but who he was. Tom was one of those rare individuals who had the ability to stand out in any room, even though he might have been the shortest one there. It wasn’t his height that made him larger than life—it was his heart. He had a gift for making people feel comfortable, often breaking the ice with a small, perfectly timed joke. Tom had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel welcome and heard, ensuring that no voice went unnoticed, and no opinion was undervalued. The best single word I can think of to describe him is genuine.

His humor, his kindness, and his genuine care for others made him a beacon of positivity. He had this way of bringing out the best in people, encouraging them to be themselves and to strive for greatness. To know Tom was to feel like you belonged, and that is a gift that few possess.

Today, as we remember Tom, let us not dwell on the sadness of his passing but rather celebrate the incredible legacy he leaves behind.

Over the last seven years of Tom's work at data innovations, we have collected and documented Tom's vision for the Next generation of connectivity. 

Let us carry forward his passion for excellence, his love for life, and his commitment to making others feel seen and valued. In our hearts, Tom will always be strumming his guitar, laughing with us, and cheering us on from the sidelines.

Tom Rauso was more than a friend and colleague; he was a light in our lives. Though that light may no longer shine in the physical world, its warmth and brilliance will remain with us forever. Let us honor his memory by continuing to live with the same passion, humor, and kindness that he showed us every single day.

Rest in peace, Tom. You will always be missed, and you will forever be loved.

Always,

Brian Biermann, Dir. Of Product, Data Innovations

So now in honor of Tom and make you all feel a little bit more comfortable. I'd like to share a few jokes that I think he would find funny.

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1. Why do short People make great detectives? Because they always get to the bottom of things.

2. I'm not short, I'm concentrated awesomeness.

3. They say great things come in small packages. I guess Tom is the proof.

I had the opportunity to get to know and work with Tom this past year. He was a kind spirit and cared deeply about Data Innovation and our mission.

RIP Tom 💔 Sending love and prayers to the family and all that love him. 

We have lost a great man who was genuinely passionate about his work. 

Prayers and thoughts are with his family.

Working with Tom I could tell he had a heart of gold. I'll truly miss his leadership and our discussions.

Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Tom and I go back to  our days at McKesson Paragon where I  first met him.  He would give me grief  at the end about how I would say I was six feet tall (5’11).  I would tell him he was one genome away from being a little person.  Great laughs and a sense of humor. We both seen the writing on the wall there at McKesson.  I went on to DI and shortly after he soon followed.  The MAN was a legend in the LIS community.  I hope to see you on the other side Tom!  

Sincerely,

Dwight

I can’t imagine DI or the world without Tom and I don’t think I’ve fully digested this yet. Tom was one of the friendly welcoming faces when I first joined DI. He always made time in his schedule to share his thoughts and experience and to listen. He really cared about DI, our customers, and everyone.

I recall many conversations about his ideas to improve our launch process, our documentation, our customer experience, our product…..everything! He had great ideas and he had also done research and took the initiative to do the work himself to make something better.

When I was leading the Product Portfolio Review meetings, Tom would come 10-15 minutes early to chat with me and if he jumped on the meeting before me, I would go early too just so that I could spend time catching up with him. I loved seeing his guitars in the background and I would ask him when he was going to play one for us. He would say, “you don’t want to hear me play, I just like to fix them up.” And we would laugh.

Tom was a genuine, funny, and amazing person. I will miss him.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they navigate this difficult time. 

One of the last communications I received from Tom was him sharing with the team something he had learned, offering insights, and going above and beyond to help DI get better. He ended it with "I am thankful to call you all colleagues and friends. Stay safe during the holiday festivities." This was Tom - thoughtful, kind, selfless, passionate and caring. He was 1 of 1. My deepest condolences go out to his family and I hope they find comfort in the many wonderful memories they have of him.

Tom offered friendship and genuine human connection to the people in his life.  He was an anchor to those who knew him.  He was the steady hand you reached for when you were in need.  I have been very blessed to have him as a genuine friend for the last 13 years.  

Cathy Ayres

I will always remember Tom for his kindness and intelligence. Tom helped by being a beacon of light and advice many times, even when I was at a real low. He was willing to share his lived experiences even if they were difficult for him because he always wanted to help. His quality of care for others was aspirational. His enthusiasm infectious.

I will miss randomly chatting about Stony Brook, hummingbirds and guitars. I will miss "nerding" out together about his new plan or project. I will miss his ability to comprehend and always ask the best questions. I will definitely miss the way he smiled when he called me "kid." 

The world lost a heart so big. My condolences to his family and his work family.

I had the pleasure of working with Tom for over 6 years at Data Innovations. Tom was always eager to help the sales team, join client meetings and present for our clients. It's rare to find an individual so willing help with no questions asked, and that was Tom.

My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.