Tom Yohe

See his tribute video here.

May 10, 2014 10:00 pm

Tom Yohe had the world in a headlock as a former three-sport standout at Crown Point, starting quarterback at Harvard, a world traveler, and currently as a producer/director at Fox Sports.

“He played about a foot taller than he was,” best friend Artie Equiha said of the diminutive Yohe. “He brought everybody’s level up.”

Tom Yohe died Friday morning in Santa Monica, Calif., while battling pneumonia, a severe respiratory condition, and collapsed lung. He was 46.

“For those of us who knew him, Tom was always in tremendous condition; always very, very fit,” Equiha said. “He just got married to a girl from Peru about a year ago. He liked getting off the grid, getting away.

“He’s genuine. Tom was quiet but when you got to know him … a tremendous heart, a very caring individual.”

The 1985 Crown Point grad played basketball for Jim Black, baseball for Ed Sherry and football for Brad Smith.

“It didn’t matter what sport he participated in,” said long-time assistant Chuck Smoljan. “He was a winner.”

During Saturday’s broadcast of the Dodgers-Yankees game, Joe Buck paid tribute to his Fox Sports colleague.

A resident of Hermosa Beach, Calif., Yohe is survived by parents Tom and Linda and younger brother Ty.

Artie Equiha, center, poses with son Artie Jr., left, and best friend Tom Yohe during an NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium in November of 2011.

Dear Harvard Football Family,

It is with great sadness that I let you know that Thomas J. Yohe ’89 has passed away. He was an extraordinary football player, a great person, and a much-loved friend and teammate. Tom Yohe, former record-setting Crimson quarterback and Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame inductee, died last Friday, May 9th at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica at the age of 46 after a brief illness. A memorial service was held Tuesday, May 13th near Hermosa Beach, CA where he resided with his wife Gaby. Tom is also survived by his mother, Linda, and father, Tom, his younger brother Ty, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Tom’s memorial was presided over by his good friend David Riccardi ’89, and included eulogies from several of his Harvard teammates and classmates. The service concluded with a video tribute, in memory of the very rich and full life that Tom led, the many friends he touched, and the spirit, love, and charisma he brought to the lives of all who knew him.

Please take a moment and CLICK HERE to view the video celebrating his life.

Tom Yohe re-wrote many of Harvard’s quarterback passing records during the 1986-88 seasons, and today still remains in the Top 5 for single-season and career passing yardage. In 1987, he led the Crimson offense to an undisputed Ivy League championship and 8-2 overall record, the best record of the Joe Restic era, a season which culminated with a championship-clinching 14-10 victory over Yale in New Haven. Tom later played and coached football for several years in Europe, including Bologna, Italy and Barcelona, Spain, and subsequently had an Emmy Award-winning career in sports television production at Fox Sports, most recently serving as director and producer for sporting events such as NFL and NCAA football, MLB baseball, and NASCAR.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family, friends, and teammates.

With a heavy heart, sympathy, and condolences,

Timothy L. Murphy

The Thomas Stephenson Family Head Coach for Harvard Football