About Thomas Kent

The youngest in a large family, Tom was born in Marshall, North Carolina, son of Herbert Leo Kent and Grace Belle Kent. Although he retained fond memories (and a slight accent) from his early years in North Carolina, he spent the majority of his youth in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area.

He remained in Michigan to earn his B.A. in English from the University of Michigan (1969). After a brief tenure as a high school teacher and coach, Tom pursued graduate studies at Purdue University where he earned his Ph.D. (1980). It was at Purdue that he met Charlotte (Charie) Thralls—fellow graduate student in the Department of English—and he taught her to play tennis. They went on to enjoy 43 years together.

With a disciplinary focus in philosophy, writing, and rhetoric, Tom delighted in developing courses, mentoring students, and directing doctoral dissertations. Few aspects of academic life gave him more pleasure than seeing his doctoral students land positions at top universities and successfully publish their work.

He possessed a keen intellect and took pleasure in challenging both himself and others to ponder theoretical and philosophical issues. He found great satisfaction in scholarly writing and the exchange of ideas with peers in his field. In addition to authoring or editing five books and dozens of articles and presentations, he served as editor of two academic journals.

Tom and Charlotte (Charie) Thralls met as graduate students in the Department of English at Purdue in the mid-1970s. He taught her to play tennis, and they went on to play singles together (she lost) and in mixed-doubles tournaments (often winning) for several years. He then taught—or tried to teach—her golf; they enjoyed playing together throughout summers in Michigan and winters at their second home in Naples, Florida.

At Iowa State from 1984–1999, both Tom and Charie were professors. Their shared institutions—Iowa State, Utah State, Western Michigan—reflected deeply intertwined scholarly lives. Charie co-founded the Journal of Business and Technical Communication in 1987; Tom succeeded her as editor in 1990. They were inseparable both on and off the course and were incredibly happy together.

Charie's own scholarship in professional communication, social theory, and pedagogy ran parallel to and deeply intersected with Tom's work. Her 1993 article directly engages “paralogic hermeneutic” pedagogy—one of only two scholars at the time to endorse that position. She received two NCTE Awards for best collection of essays, was named an ATTW Fellow in 2018, and earned multiple university teaching awards.

Despite a robust career, Tom embraced other passions. He was a music lover whose granddaughters coveted his playlists. He played the saxophone, pursued photography with a professional studio set up in the basement of his Kalamazoo home, appreciated and collected sports cars, and was a gifted athlete who at various stages in his life participated in baseball, basketball, tennis, and golf.

He was proud of his University of Michigan legacy and lived to see his son graduate from, and both of his granddaughters matriculate into, the University of Michigan. He shared important lessons about values, patience, and humility, through both his words and deeds. While his presence was commanding, and to some playfully intimidating, he formed sincere and loving bonds through his unique ability to laugh at himself and be affectionately vulnerable.

The true highlight of Tom's life was being a father and grandfather. His son, Tom II, was central to his life—a deeply treasured friend who shared his father's sense of humor. Tom took deep pride in his son's successes and enjoyed every moment of their companionship, whether playing golf or cards, helping him coach youth softball, discussing sports, or simply enjoying quiet moments together.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte Thralls, his son Thomas L. Kent II (wife Mara), and granddaughters Grace Alexandra Kent and Celia Jade Kent.