Thomas Noble Kramer
August 31, 1946 - April 12, 2025

The Air Force Academy Association of Graduates & Foundation have recently learned of the death of Thomas N. Kramer, Colonel, USAF (Ret), CS-17, Class of 1968. Colonel Kramer passed away on April 12, 2025, Glen Ellyn, Illinois. A funeral service will be held at 10AM on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the USAFA Cemetery, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Obituary
Thomas Noble Kramer passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, at the age of 78. He was born August 31, 1946, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Ronald and Virginia (McFarren) Kramer. Tom was united in marriage to Deborah (Field) Kramer on January 22, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tom (affectionately known as “TK” to friends) grew up in Syracuse, Indiana, where he was highly involved in athletics (lettering in baseball, basketball, and golf), academics, and countless shenanigans with his two brothers. He enjoyed his job as a caddy at the local golf course, where he developed a lifelong passion for the game. Tom graduated as salutatorian of Syracuse High School in 1964 and was appointed by the state governor to serve on the Youth Advisory Committee to the Indiana Youth Council. He was chosen by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation of Evanston, Illinois, to receive a four-year college scholarship to the college of his choice.

Since the age of 12, Tom’s dream was to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and become an Air Force Officer and pilot. That dream became a reality in his senior year when he received an appointment to the Academy from a member of the House of Representatives. Tom received one of the highest scores in the United States on his mathematics admission exam. While at the Air Force Academy, Tom studied physics and achieved the meritorious distinction of repeatedly being appointed to the Dean’s List, the Commandant’s List, and the Superintendent’s List as a result of his excellence in academics and military performance. Tom graduated from the Academy in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, earning the rank of second lieutenant, and received a certificate of achievement for being in the top 10 percent of his class. Following his graduation, Tom was assigned to pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, it was discovered that Tom had a hearing deficit at high frequencies, which prevented him from furthering his aviation career. Tom received an assignment in Sunnyvale, California, to train in Space and Missile Systems Analysis, where he served until 1973. He received high praise for his technical expertise, dedication to duty, and outstanding performance.

Tom decided to pursue a career in medicine and received his Medical Doctorate Degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Shortly after completing medical school, he married Debbie. They had two daughters, Shannon and Megan. Tom’s military career took them to Carswell Air Force Base in Texas, Ramstein Air Base in Germany, and Travis Air Force Base in California. Throughout his military career, Tom served as Chief of Family Practice;, Chief of Clinical Services; Consultant to the Surgeon General; Deputy Director of Family Practice Residency; Instructor of Family Practice Residency; Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Davis; Chairman of the Department of Family Practice; Director of Family Practice Residency; Director of Medical Education; Chairman of Institutional Review Board; and Assistant Clinical Professor at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Tom retired from the Air Force in 1989 after having achieved the rank of Colonel.

After his military retirement, Tom continued to practice medicine as a civilian at Welborn Clinic in Evansville, Indiana, and then Watson Clinic in Lakeland, Florida. Throughout his career as a physician, Tom received countless praise for his “expert care,” “sincere concern,” “true professionalism,” “painstaking thoroughness,” “outstanding empathy,” “dedication to duty,” “overt compassion,” and “ pleasant, friendly manner,” and was described as someone “who qualifies as a good samaritan in addition to being a fine doctor.” He was lauded as “as fine a doctor as one can find anywhere in both the civilian and military medical circles.” (All are quotes taken directly from letters from his patients.) As passionate as he was about medicine, Tom was equally passionate about golf. He played as much as his schedule allowed, and enjoyed trips around the US as well as to Ireland and Scotland. He also enjoyed watching his beloved Indiana Hoosiers basketball team season after season, whether they won or lost.

Tom was a devoted husband and father, a trusted friend to many, a proud soldier, and a compassionate physician. However, the role that perhaps brought him the most joy was that of grandfather. Shortly after his final retirement, Tom and Debbie gave up their Florida home on the golf course and moved to Naperville, Illinois, to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives. Tom and Debbie spent countless hours loving and caring for Makena, Grady, and Griffin. In the process, they had endless fun and made memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Although Tom was brilliant, had an impressive career, and received numerous honors and accolades, it was his character that made him truly exceptional. Despite his success, he was overwhelmingly humble. He was a man of discipline, honor, and integrity, always aspiring to do what is right. He was witty, loyal, and selfless. He had a quiet faith that, while not often verbally expressed, was demonstrated in how he conducted his life and treated others. Tom’s impact on his family, friends, patients, and those he served with, trained, and taught in both his military and civilian careers was profound and will not be soon forgotten. His was truly a life well lived.

Tom’s legacy is carried on by his wife of 48 years, Deborah Kramer; his children, Shannon (Mitch) Backes and Megan Kramer; his grandchildren, Makena, Grady, and Griffin Backes; and his brother, John Kramer.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ronald Kramer.

A funeral and burial will be held at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Monday, July 28, 2025. We welcome all family and friends who wish to attend. Please contact Shannon (skbackes@sbcglobal.net) for more information if you plan to join us.

In place of flowers, we welcome donations in Tom’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To offer your condolence on Tom Kramer's Tribute wall, click here.