About Tom Burnett

Thomas E. Burnett, Jr.
Citizen Soldier - Flight 93
May 29, 1963 - September 11, 2001

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It has been said that those aboard flight 93 were just ordinary people. There was nothing ordinary about Tom Burnett. He was, in short, exceptional.

He had skills and maturity that far exceeded his 38 years. He had the respect and admiration of all who knew him. He was bright, driven, and competitive. He loved a competition, in anything. He liked to win, and usually did. But he did this in a way that elevated those around him. He had a keen wit and always helped to lighten any situation with his humor. He had high ideals and principles, and he expected a great deal of himself, and of others. He had a very strong sense of right and wrong and was solidly rooted in the strength of his convictions.

Tom had an innate ability to gather information, assess situations and react quickly to resolve them. He attributed his success to the fact he always made sure the odds were in his favor…by bringing in other people when necessary.

He was a man's man. Not in a way that wears machismo like a tattoo, but in the strength of his character, in the courage of his convictions, in the depth of his love for his family, in his modesty and reticence to self-aggrandize, in the moment-to-moment expressions of his nimble mind and quick wit, in his easy and seamless fit into the form of a leader of people, and in the depth of his faith.

All of this is high praise. Tom would be embarrassed by what he would call hyperbole, for he believed in the judicious and measured use of language, saving exceptional words for exceptional people or things.

This is exactly what I have done.

I know I speak not just for myself, but for the entire family, his friends, colleagues and indeed the entire nation: Tom, we love you, we miss you, and we thank you. By--Deena Burnett

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL
Born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota, Tom attended public schools Ridgeview Elementary, Olson Middle School, and graduated with honors from Thomas Jefferson High School. Wearing number 11 in high school, Tom played quarterback for the Jefferson Jaguars and was recruited to play football by several universities and chose Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He enjoyed the conversations and discourse with the Benedictine monks who lived there, and often said his experience provided incredible depth to his faith in God. After two years, an injury shortened his football career and he transferred to the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He was named President of the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, then later graduated with a B.S. degree in Finance. Working with Thoratec, a medical device company, he climbed the ladder to corporate success quickly. He received an M.B.A. degree from Pepperdine University and was making plans to work on his doctorate.

INTERESTS
Tom often joked that he was one of the last Renaissance men left. He enjoyed a variety of interests that ranged from hunting, fishing and golfing to fine wines, cigars and travel. He could engage you in a conversation about the ideas of ancient Greek philosophers and leave you sitting in the dust when debating political issues. At the same time, he cherished his time with his father on “the farm” used as a hunting lodge retreat near Siren, Wisconsin.

Tom was an avid reader, often choosing a subject and reading as many books on the subject as possible. During the past five years, his subjects included American wars as well as Presidents of the United States. His most recent subject was Winston Churchill. He had busts of Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill in his office. When I asked why he wanted them, he replied, "The lives they led and the decisions they made were uncommon. I see them and am reminded of the importance of doing what is right in the face of adversity."

Tom’s had a goal to retire from business at the age of 40 and often spoke of plans that ranged from teaching to running for political office. If he had made a career change, he would have done so superbly, but he was much too good at running a company and would have always had increasingly tempting opportunities that would have competed with that dream.

FAMILY
Tom had a strong attachment to his family and felt a deep bond to his mother, father and sisters. He loved his wife dearly and he adored his three young daughters, believing them to be perfect…as it should be.