Thomas Alden Kendall was introduced to the Forum in June 1952 by his future wife, Carolyn Bowman. After the customary interview by Dr. William S. Sadler, he attended study groups regularly for over fifty years.
Tom was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1963 and served as President from 1973 to 1983. He traveled frequently on behalf of Urantia Foundation, meeting with translation groups in Finland, France, and Italy. Joel R of Finland spoke of his efforts: “Tom was such an agreeable, charming and well balanced person to deal with.” He was the first to promote a Spanish translation to the other Trustees.
Tom worked with legal counsel to renew the copyright of The Urantia Book in 1983. He actively communicated with Urantia Societies to help explain how trademark licensing agreements would help maintain the safety of the name Urantia and the Concentric-Circles Symbol for the benefit of future reader-believers. He was always approachable to anyone seeking clarification of Foundation actions and policies.
Tom was also dedicated to the Brotherhood. He served on the General Council for a total of 29 years. Tom completed the Brotherhood School program in the late 1950s and was awarded Certified Leader and Ordained Teacher certificates. He served on the Domestic Extension of the Brotherhood for 20 years, 19 of those as its chairman. Later, he was a member of the Judicial Committee for six years.
In recent years Tom assisted the Foundation by providing personal files, historical background, and advice to current Trustees and their legal counsel. He served on the fundraising and advisory group known as the Matthew Project as his health permitted.
Tom died at home October 13, 2002, leaving his wife Carolyn, five children, and seven grandchildren. Urantia Foundation has cast a memorial plaque as a “tribute in recognition of and with deep appreciation to Tom for his twenty years of service as a Trustee of Urantia Foundation,” which now hangs at 533 Diversey. We thank Tom for his many years of devoted service and for the inspiration he has provided to those who continue this work today.