Thomas Walker Latham

Thomas Walker Latham

January 18, 1943 – October 27, 2021

Lawyer, Outdoors man, and Pilot

Thomas Walker Latham passed away peacefully on October 27, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson’s, surrounded by his family who shared fond memories while playing his favorite music.

Born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Tom attended the Roxbury Latin School, received his B.S. from the California Institute of Technology, then went on to receive advanced degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and The Georgetown University School of Law. Upon graduation from Georgetown, Tom moved to San Francisco to study for the California Bar exam, and began his legal career with a small law firm that over time became Evans, Latham and Campisi.

One of the first firms to concentrate on trust and probate law, Evans, Latham and Campisi became a leader in its field. Tom was both an excellent litigator and mediator, expanding both the firm’s mediation practice and organizing a voluntary mediation panel for the Probate Department of the San Francisco Superior Court. Tom was also one of the editors and writers of trust and probate publications published by the Continuing Education of the Bar. Well respected by his colleagues and peers, Tom was known for his integrity and the high quality of his work.

A true Californian, Tom found joy in the landscape, exploring the Sierras, the Pacific Ocean, and the redwoods. Favorite family memories include numerous hiking trips, camping in Yosemite, overnight ski trips, kayaking and river rafting. Also, a licensed pilot, Tom spent many hours in his beloved glider, cruising over the rugged and hot California hill country near Calistoga.

Later in life Tom discovered road biking, and in 2012, he and his wife, Tauni Sauvage, his son, Russell Latham, his daughter, Paris Latham, his brother, David Latham, and his nephew Andy Latham rode in the iconic and challenging Death Ride, a bicycle ride that includes 5 peaks and a total vertical climb of 14,000 feet.  Proud of this accomplishment, Tom continued to ride his bike for many years, including two more Death Rides, and he participated in several back roads biking trips, including one to Nova Scotia with his son, Jackson Latham. He continued to ride his bike until unable to do so due to the impacts of Parkinson’s.

Tom never met a Frog Hollow peach he didn’t like, and he enjoyed his gin and tonics on hot summer nights. An avid pie baker and barbecue master, his apple cranberry pies took center stage over the holidays and his barbecued chicken, along with his potato salad, was the highlight of many July 4th celebrations.

Tom leaves a legacy of gentleness, kindness, generosity and integrity. He was a powerful role model for both his children and his colleagues. He leaves a big hole in the lives of his wife, children, family, and friends. 

Tom is survived by his wife, Tauni Sauvage, to whom he was married for 42 years, his children Russell Latham (Stephanie Praino), Paris Latham (Andrew Kelley), and Jackson Latham as well as his sister Harriet Robinson, his brother David Latham, his sister-in-law Deirdre Sauvage (Ralph Zak), and numerous nephews and nieces. A celebration of his life will be held at the Faculty Club at UC Berkeley on January 22, 2022, at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org).

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