Thomas A. Hewson, 90, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2014.
He is survived by his brothers Newlin and Jim; sister, Nancy; his beloved wife of 68 years, Betsy; their three children, Joan, Tom, and Ted; and three grandchildren, Benjamin, Melissa and Jonathan; as well as two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Jack.
Hewson was the second of five children of Nancy Stokes and Dr. William Hewson. He attended Episcopal Academy, graduating with honors in 1942 and later from MIT in 1945 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He then married his childhood love Elizabeth Gurley.
Hewson’s first job out of school was with Lessell’s & Associates, based in Boston. There he developed the first automated machine to measure blood sugar named the Hewson-Clinitron.
After 10 years at Lessell’s, he joined St. Regis Paper Company based in New York where he became the company’s youngest Vice President. After 13 years, he went on to work for Automation Engineering Laboratories.
Hewson’s Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed at age 12, eventually caused severe eye problems leading to his retirement. Despite his infirmities, Tom continued to innovate and develop new technologies, including a Vitriol micro-surgical device that enabled surgeons to perform microscopic procedures on the human eye. He continued to participate in diabetic research, becoming one of only 15 people living with type 1 diabetes for 78 years.
When retiring (for the second time) to Florida, Hewson founded Axe Airlines, a virtual airline, which will live on in the hearts and minds of his fellow residents at Indian River Estates for many years to come.
Family requests that In lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The 50 Year Medalist Study c/o The Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place. Boston, MA 02215.
