Tom Van Hon was born in 1932, and graduated from East High School in Des Moines. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1960 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and began work with Brooks Borg Skiles the next year. He became a partner in the BBS Mechanical/Electrical department, and retired in 1993.

His membership in ASHRAE dates back to 1962, and he attended numerous regional and national meetings and trade shows, including the national meeting in Detroit during his year as Chapter President.