: Born 1 April 1920 in Brooklyn, New York, Thomas Anthony Imhof began birding as a teenager and began banding birds at age 19. He graduated from St. John's University, New York, with a B.S. in biology. Following Army duty during World War II, Imhof entered the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. After the war he was employed as a chemist at U.S. Steel in Fairfield, Alabama, where he retired after 37 years. Thomas was an ornithological hobbyist, but his contributions to public knowledge of the avifauna of the southeastern U.S. and his service to ornithology were of a professional level. Imhof is best known as the author of Alabama Birds, which was first published in 1962, revised in 1976, and supplemented by an update in booklet form in 1984. He was a Regional Editor for Audubon Field Notes and American Birds from 1960 to 1989, a Christmas Bird Count compiler for nearly 50 years, a coordinator of and participant in Breeding Bird Surveys, and a constant advocate for Alabama birds and birders. In recognition of his achievements in ornithology, Tom was awarded an honorary doctorate in science by the University of Alabama in 1984.