Thomas Kwader

Tom Kwader was a good man. He was a pioneering hydrogeologist, and beloved member of the Tallahassee community who sadly passed away on November 5, 2025, at the age of 73. His life was a testament to curiosity, compassion, faith, and quiet generosity. He was born in Scranton, PA and moved to Orlando at a young age where he graduated from Oak Ridge High School. Tom was a member of the Boy Scouts in Orlando, 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. He earned an Associate’s Degree at Seminole Junior College. Tom moved to Tallahassee to continue his education at Florida State University obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree, and a PhD in Geology. Tom worked multiple jobs through college, graduating 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 US and the Bahamas with his US Coast Guard Captain’s License, deep sea fishing, travelling in their RV for month-long 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. Tom was an active member and supporter of Epiphany Lutheran Church. Dr. Kwader was regarded as an international expert on groundwater recovery and treatment systems and injection well technology. Dr. Kwader worked for the Northwest Florida Water Management District, becoming a national resource for geophysical logging and geotechnical core analyses. Dr. Kwader went on to establish 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. Dr. Kwader presented more than sixty papers at the National level. Dr. Kwader was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1996 to serve on the Board of Professional Geologist where he continued to serve until 2003. Dr. Kwader wrote for numerous technical journals and publications as a subject matter expert. Dr. Kwader’s work has been referenced in other states’ environmental regulations. Dr. Kwader mentored many young geologists. Dr. Kwader mentored future 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 US 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 Mueller, mother Elmae Whelan, son Matt Kwader (Lisa Wozney-Kwader), brother Kevin (Karen), sister Ellie (Jim), sister Maryann (Dominic), Laurrie (Ed), granddaughter Tatum Williams, and 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 Kwader and sister Debbie. Much gratitude to Tom’s doctors and nurses and techs, and the Angels on earth masquerading as staff at Big Bend Hospice, for the loving and dignified care given to Tom. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2 pm in the Terrace at Wakulla Springs Lodge, located at 550 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, Florida. Tom Kwader’s life was one of purpose, generosity, and quiet strength. To the end, he was disturbed by the current disrespect for science (science is real), human rights and the systematic failure to walk in the footsteps of Jesus’ teachings. Please honor him by treating each other and the environment with respect, dignity, truthfulness, and generosity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice or Epiphany Lutheran Church. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com or 850-385-2193)

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Thomas Kwader

November 2, 1952 - November 5, 2025