Thomas Byrne Summers

Thomas Byrne Summers (76) of Des Moines, IA, passed away on October 15, 2025, after a short illness.

Tom was born in Iowa City on July 14, 1949, to Thomas and Wynema Summers. He grew up primarily in Des Moines and graduated from Dowling before serving in Vietnam. He then continued his education at Drake and the University of Iowa. He would go on to marry the love of his life, Carolyn, in 1973.

Tom loved his career as a radiologist and worked many years in Kansas City at the Diagnostic Imaging Center. He enjoyed traveling with Carolyn, history, reading, classic cars, and caring for his plant collection. He’ll be remembered for his intellectual curiosity, warmth, humor, generosity, and kindness, and his lifelong love of chocolate chip cookies and Diet Coke.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carolyn, their daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Matthew Lammers. He is also survived by his sisters, sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and cherished friends.

A visitation will be held at St. Augustin’s Catholic Church (545 42nd St, Des Moines, IA) on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with a funeral mass following at 11:30 a.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Blood Cancer United or the Kansas Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.