March 11, 2022
Statement from UW President on tragic deaths of two UW community members
The following is a statement from University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce following the news that a UW professor and a UW staff member were killed while diving off the coast of Mexico over the weekend. Evan Abramson was a research professor in the Department of Earth & Space Sciences who joined the UW 1988, with a brief stint in the 1990s at Brookhaven National Laboratories. Tom Schaefer, who earned a master’s degree in oceanography at the UW, served in the School of Social Work for over 25 years and volunteered as an educator with the Seattle Aquarium and Pacific Marine Research since 1985.
Evan Abramson
“The University of Washington community is heartbroken over the tragic deaths of Evan Abramson and Tom Schaefer. Both had strong ties to our University community and we join their colleagues and loved ones in mourning this terrible loss.
“In his work as a research professor in Earth and space sciences, Evan studied the properties of materials at high pressure, with his recent scholarship advancing science that helps us better understand the icy worlds in and beyond our solar system.
Tom Schaefer
“And over the course of 25 years with the School of Social Work, Tom contributed to the success of the faculty, staff and students of the school by ensuring its spaces and facilities were comfortable and met their needs as scholars and professionals.
“Both Evan and Tom contributed immeasurably to our University community during their time at the UW, and that community should now come together to extend our condolences to their families and friends. We hope that their loved ones will find peace in memories of happier times.”
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • School of Social Work
