Guest guest Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Bob, Thank you for posting Tom Riihimake's contributions to our field. I met Tom at the OMS booth at an AAOM conference in the early 90's. I was a student and recall thinking that if there are more people like him, I will feel I entered the right field. Frances Gander Athens, Ohio > " rfaultson " bob > >A milestone. > >Tom Riihimaki, age 61, died May 23, 2006 at home. > >Tom founded OMS -- Oriental Medical Supplies -- now the oldest >supplier of acupuncture needles and alternative healthcare supplies in >the U.S. Tom is one of the founders of our field but was a quiet and >private person who preferred rock climbing and judo to a public >presence. Thus, he is virtually unknown. > >Tom graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture. As Dr. Tin >Yao So's student, Tom responded to the difficulty of acquiring >acupuncture supplies by " sweat capitalizing " the importation of >acupuncture needles into the U.S. Although there are now many >equipment suppliers, when Tom started, acupuncture needles were > " investigational devices " and acupuncturists were being arrested for >practising medicine without a license. Tom individually accepted the >risks of importation and made further contributions that were >critical for the development of this field. > >In the early 1980's when T.C.M. was introduced in the U.S., >controversy concerning Dr. So's teachings contributed to the near >failure of the New England School of Acupuncture. At that time it was >one of two schools in the U.S. The other, the California Acupuncture >College, later failed. Tom was one of only two people who risked >their own homes and businesses to insure the school's tuition bond, >thus saving it for future generations of students. > >Tom's funeral will be private and there will be no memorial funds >established by his family. But, I though people should know of his >life of contribution and dedication to our field. > >Bob Felt > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 I remember Tom from nesa in the early 80¹s. I remember when Japanese needles were new. Before disposables came about I. I remember when the only one answering phones at OMS was Tom. Like you, Bob, he was a trailblazer in our field. ( I also remember having no textbooks. Someone would find a copy of an imported Felix Mann book and we¹d all Xerox it. I still have a shelf of Xeroxed books). peace to Tom and His family Cara -- Cara O. Frank, R.Ac, Dipl Ac & Ch.H. President China Herb Company Program Director of the Chinese Herb Program Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts office: 215- 438-2977 fax: 215-849-3338 Www.chinaherbco.com Www.carafrank.com Sat, 27 May 2006 14:50:42 +0000 Re: A milestone Thanks, Bob for this notice. Tom seemed to have played a quiet yet important role in the history of in the West. I can only assume he was also a long-time colleague, if not friend of yours. Our condolences. Doug , " rfaultson " <bob wrote: > > A milestone. > > Tom Riihimaki, age 61, died May 23, 2006 at home. > > Tom founded OMS -- Oriental Medical Supplies -- now the oldest > supplier of acupuncture needles and alternative healthcare supplies in > the U.S. Tom is one of the founders of our field but was a quiet and > private person who preferred rock climbing and judo to a public > presence. Thus, he is virtually unknown. > > Tom graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture. As Dr. Tin > Yao So's student, Tom responded to the difficulty of acquiring > acupuncture supplies by " sweat capitalizing " the importation of > acupuncture needles into the U.S. Although there are now many > equipment suppliers, when Tom started, acupuncture needles were > " investigational devices " and acupuncturists were being arrested for > practising medicine without a license. Tom individually accepted the > risks of importation and made further contributions that were > critical for the development of this field. > > In the early 1980's when T.C.M. was introduced in the U.S., > controversy concerning Dr. So's teachings contributed to the near > failure of the New England School of Acupuncture. At that time it was > one of two schools in the U.S. The other, the California Acupuncture > College, later failed. Tom was one of only two people who risked > their own homes and businesses to insure the school's tuition bond, > thus saving it for future generations of students. > > Tom's funeral will be private and there will be no memorial funds > established by his family. But, I though people should know of his > life of contribution and dedication to our field. > > Bob Felt > Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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