In Memoriam: Michael C. Thomas. May 5, 1948–October 4, 2019

We honor the life and accomplishments of Michael C. Thomas with a short narrative of his professional life along with appendices listing his scientific artwork, bibliography and patronyms. This paper is the first of a Festschrift with contributed remembrances and separate papers honoring him with additional patronyms. This and the following set of papers published in Insecta Mundi are dedicated to Michael C. Thomas, as tribute and thanks from a small number of those he mentored or assisted throughout his life. Mike’s contributions to the study of beetles and as a member of the Insecta Mundi Editorial Board, editing and producing the journal for 30 years, were deemed significant enough to allow a paper outside our normal guidelines. The following pages highlight the life and accomplishments of Michael C. Thomas