Tom D. Birdsey

Tom Dwight Birdsey passed away peacefully following brief hospice care at his New Scotland home on Saturday, September 7th, surrounded by family. Tom was a beloved husband, father and brother; a prominent Capital Region business leader, and a mentor to those in the fields of architecture and engineering. His loss will be felt by many, and his professional legacy will be felt for years to come in the numerous architectural landmarks of the region and throughout the world.

Tom was born in Elkhart, Indiana on April 3, 1950, to Helen and Dwight Birdsey. As a youth, Tom enjoyed basketball and playing upright bass in the orchestra. Most of all, he liked to build things with his hands – so it was no surprise that he chose to study architecture like his older brother Jon, moving to the East Coast to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

In 1973 Tom received his Bachelor of Architecture and went to work with his architecture professor Larry Goltz, designing and building residences throughout the Capital Region. It was rigorous work and provided Tom a mastery over the built environment that went beyond design work and into implementation – he developed carpentry, plumbing, masonry and electrician skills. He then brought this broad knowledge base to the architecture and engineering firm EYP, where his project management work on renovating Albany’s historic Union Station won the firm early national acclaim. 

Tom made a promise to himself that as long as he was still learning new things, he would stay with EYP. His opportunities to enrich himself remained fertile there where he rose to CEO in 2005. Tom’s unbridled passion for the firm, astounding work ethic, easy humor and natural social graces made him an ideal fit for the role of CEO. He led EYP to a top position amongst the nation’s sustainability-focused design firms – their portfolio was a veritable who’s who of universities, government agencies, and other organizations. Tom was Chair of the Steward Program and former Board Member of the New York State Archives Partnership Trust and was an active supporter of Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) and ADK Action. 

After a cancer diagnosis in 2017, Tom retired from EYP in 2019 – and with cancer in remission, enjoyed many years with his wife, Karen, and with family and friends at their home in New Scotland and their Lake Champlain camp. Tom and Karen were both ardent cyclists, riding many miles across the US and Europe. They fully embraced outdoor life in the Adirondacks, spending many hours hiking the High Peaks, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, fishing and boating in the summer. In 2022, Tom was diagnosed with ALS – despite the limitations imposed by the disease he maintained a busy and fulfilling life supported by friends, family, his healthcare team, and especially by Karen, who was determined to do everything possible to help Tom live his life to the fullest.

Tom was driven but down-to-earth – thoughtful but plainspoken. His smile would light up the room. Tom loved the creative process and always had a challenging project in the works. You could find him out brush-hogging new trails on his John Deere tractor, mowing a hay field, or rebuilding a vintage Serotta bicycle in his workshop. Tom’s final project was the complete restoration of his beloved 1972 21’ ribside Boston Whaler Outrage, which he was able to see on the water the week prior to his passing, watching from the shore.

Tom loved to share his many interests with others. He had a lifelong love of cooking and was a creative wizard in the kitchen. And it was well known that when asked how to do something, he would excitedly remark, “Easy!” and proceed to explain the task – never from a place of condescension, but from an earnest love for the topic. He had a childlike enthusiasm for well-designed technology, whether it be “unsinkable” Boston Whaler boats, high performance electric cars, home solar panels, or skillfully made bicycles. He had a deep admiration for all craftsmen, and filled his life with people who could see the potential of raw materials. He was known by all as a man who believed strongly in the joy of working hard at one’s passions.

Tom is survived by his great love and steadfast partner, his wife Karen Birdsey; his brother Jon Birdsey (Jo); his son Thomas (Renae) Birdsey and daughter Scotia Birdsey; stepchildren Ryan Looney, David (Kat) Looney, and Kairos Looney (Montie Steele); and his large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family expresses deep gratitude to Tom’s caregiver DaMeishe Rosco Wilson and to the exceptional staff at the Healey Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

A memorial service will be held at Applebee Funeral Home, Delmar, NY, on Saturday, October 5th at 2pm. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS) via ccals.org/donate or at PO Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA, 02574 .