Thomas Joseph Carlow

Thomas J. Carlow, devoted Husband and beloved Father and Grandfather, was called to his eternal resting place on March 15, 2021. He was born on August 22, 1940 in Cincinnati, OH. There are some people who seem like they surely will be around forever. You can't imagine them not being there and Tom was one such person. Tom's family and friends always valued his deep conversations and his genuine sincerity. He had uncanny wisdom, worked hard, loved dearly,and was always exploring the deep and important questions of life with great intensity.

Tom loved his profession and was drawn to Neuro-Ophthalmology as it took a great deal of knowledge to tease out a diagnosis. He loved both a challenge and the ability to help his patients. Tom spent a long and fruitful career as a Neuro-Ophthalmologist in Albuquerque and was the only one in the state for 30 years. He was a pioneer in his field and started an annual medical meeting, NANOS (North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society) which became an international society. Tom was also a great professor who taught colleagues, residents and technicians. Many people benefited from his compassion and skill, most specifically his patients for whom he cared deeply.

Tom did his neurology residency at the University of Michigan and his fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. He served in the Army Public Health Service in Denver. During this time, the family discovered the beauty of the Southwest, fell in love with the mountains and settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He practiced as a Neuro-Ophthalmologist at UNM, taught and did clinical work over the next four decades both at UNM and at the Eye Associates of New Mexico. He derived great pleasure teaching residents in Neurology, Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery.

Tom met Susan in high school and from that point they remained inseparable partners in life and together they created a beautiful and loving family. They were married nearly 55 years and Susan was the love of his life...ask anyone!

He is survived by his wife Susan; son Thomas Carlow (Marilee); daughter Kathleen Carlow (Craig); daughter Beth Tannaz (Brant) and seven grandchildren Ava, Luke, Alex, Anna, Anthony, Ailsa and Caitlin. The memorial service will be held on April 17, 2021 at 11:00am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with an Open House following at the family home. An internment is scheduled at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on April 19th at 11:15am. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donation to the NANOS Thomas and Susan Carlow Young Investigator Award Fund to honor his life. Please follow this link to donate: https://www.nanosweb.org/thomascarlow