Tomasek, Hana, Ph.D. April 4, 1935 May 25, 2020 Dr. Hana Tomasek's extraordinary life came to an end on May 25, 2020. She had been in declining health for several years and contracted Covid-19, which undoubtedly hastened her demise. In her (then) native Czechoslovakia she survived both World War II and communism and nonetheless managed to thrive anyway. She earned bachelors, masters and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering. In her bachelor's degree program she was one of only a few women studying electrical engineering; and in her Ph.D. program she was the only woman. Several times in the 1950's and 1960's she was the national yachting champion of Czechoslovakia and was also an excellent downhill skier and scuba diver. In 1972 she and her husband, Jara, escaped from communism and came to the United States as political refugees. They arrived in Minnesota on a Friday and he went to work the following Monday. Within three years of arriving they were able to buy a house on Medicine Lake, where she lived until about two years ago. She travelled the world extensively between teaching international business, quality control and technical education at the universities of Minnesota, St. Thomas and St. Mary's. She is survived by her brother, Jan, two nephews, a niece and many close friends. A bench on Medicine Lake will be dedicated to her and is supported by her friends and neighbors. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers who so selflessly took care of her in her last months.

Published on May 31, 2020