We first met Terry in the 1980s. Since then we met numerous times during our life in Cambridge and we also stayed with him, Ana Maria and Patti several times at their home in Belmont when we came to the United States.
We do treasure our memories of each others company and friendship! The countless lunches and dinners, the vivid discussions – especially about American politics –, the guitar and harmonica sessions - singing along, the little excursions to the Massachusetts beaches, parcs, museums and restaurants, our vacations in New Hampshire, painting Easter eggs at the Black Bear Lodge in Waterville Valley, taking a boat trip on the river Rhine in Germany, going fishing together, watching superbowls-games at night and cheering the Patriots, eating out in Chinatown in Boston with all the chinese treasures selected by the expert in his native tongue, getting a grand tour at BBRI in 2005 with joy and enthusiasm, feeling the spirit of science being passed on, and seeing our kids grow up

Ana and Patti,

Kent and I were so sorry to hear about Terry’s passing. He was such a vital and cherished presence in our lives for so many years. My first memory of him is at Bright Horizons. As soon as Caitlin and Patti became friends there in 1987, he promptly invited us all over for a “playdate’’—and so began decades of friendship.

We have so many memories of our times together—holiday dinners, backyard barbecues, vacations by the sea, hiking through the woods, skiing at Waterville, watching football (at home or at Gillette!), singing along with Terry as he played his guitar. Terry was more than just a friend—as our girls grew up together, he, Ana and Patti became family. He loved both our children as if they were his own. He reveled in their development and accomplishments and cherished them dearly. He was one of the kindest, most caring, and thoughtful person we have known.

We were devastated by Terry’s accident—the suddenness of it and the severe impact on our dear friend an

Queridas Anny y Patti. Un hermoso homenaje para recordar a Terry... En una temporada que viví con ellos en su casa, compartí con él gratos momentos, donde pude ver toda su generosidad, sabiduría, tenacidad y templanza. Recuerdo el gran amor y admiración por Anny, como también pude ver como disfrutaba los logros y hazañas de Patti. Terry siempre estaba con una linda sonrisa en su rostro y actitud reflexiva y positiva, no puedo olvidar el tesón con el que enfrentaba su vida después del accidente. Recuerdo de él la acogida y enseñanza, como también sus palabras siempre con un consejo sensato y oportuno. Como olvidar lo cariñoso y entusiasta que fue con mis dos hijas Francisca y Daniela quienes vivieron lindos momentos en familia junto a Anny y Patti. Siempre recordaré agradecida de haber vivido esos momentos, que me dejaron una gran enseñanza.... que con el tiempo - creo y espero - me ha echo ser una mejor persona. Un abrazo fuerte y cariñoso para mi querida p

I was surprised one day in the very early '80s (or was it late '70s) that somebody named Terrance Tao wrote me a letter requesting some space in my lab at BBRI to do research. Why was he contacting me and not our department chairman? I could offer him a bench and a desk, but would that be enough? Besides, do I need to get permission from the Chairman? What am I getting into? His CV looked quite impressive and his mentors were well known in fluorescence work so I was tempted. He visited, was introduced to the Chairman who seemed to be happy to have another funded grant in his department and it was settled. I did manage to collaborate with him on a couple of projects but after a few years, Terry left my area and continued to flourish in the Department as an independent investigator. We had much in common. We both experienced the Berkeley Chem. department, he as an undergraduate and me as a graduate student (about 4 years apart). We both liked outdoor activities - sports, so he