Tom Joel Farer

Tom J Farer, a prominent scholar and university administrator in the field of human rights and international law, passed away peacefully on March 3rd in his Littleton, Colorado home. Tom’s career spanned six decades. He taught his last course at University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies last Spring, before retiring at the age of 89. At his retirement celebration, colleagues praised his vision, energy, and integrity while he served as the school’s Dean (1996-2010).

Tom leaves behind Mika, his wife and partner of 60 years, his daughter Paola Farer, his son Dima Farer, his daughter in law Miriam Aristy Farer, son in law Daniel Brandon, nephews Jean Louis Guillou and Renan Guillou, and two grandsons Linus and Luc Farer. Tom credits his parents, Louis Farer and Lillian “Lola” Garfink, for his liberal views on justice and fairness that shaped his career, and their basic principal of lending a hand when needed. He was a beloved friend and mentor to his students and colleagues, a prolific writer, a competitive tennis player and determined golfer.

If you visited him over the last few months, you knew he would instantly steer the conversation away from his declining health, toward topics that brought him much more pleasure to dive into: politics, professional sports (he loved watching all of them), movies, books, and anything on your mind. He was surrounded by his beloved books, laptop, notes and appointment calendar up until his last day.

Tom had a lifelong love for reading. Alongside his academic tomes on law, politics and history, he collected all the great 19th century novelists and started re-reading some of his favorites by Anthony Trollope when his physical activity became limited. Tom’s collection of historical and contemporary fiction would keep any avid reader absorbed for months, especially if you like dark thrillers.

Tom’s own books are also on the shelves. His most recent work, “Migration and Integration: The Case for Liberalism with Borders” focused on debates over immigration in Europe and the pollical costs for liberal governments unable to define a clear strategy for this social challenge.

Tom was both a professor and practitioner. He served on the InterAmerican Human Rights Commission from 1996-1983, part of the Organization of American States, investigating human rights abuses in Central and South America during a time when some of the greatest civil unrest and government atrocities were committed.

Tom was asked to serve as President of the Commission just after the president of Colombia called for help with a hostage crisis playing out at an embassy in Bogota. (1980). He helped mediate a peaceful end to the two-month long standoff between the government and an insurgent group, and the safe release of over a dozen diplomats including ambassadors from the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica and Venezuela. The Commission’s work helped expose and undermine the brutal military junta in Argentina responsible for the disappearance of thousands of political dissidents. Tom wrote about the investigations of the human rights abuses there in his article “I Cry for You Argentina” Hum. Rts. Q. 38 (2016): 851.

Tom served as President of the University of New Mexico (1985-1986) and was a tenured law professor first at Rutgers School of Law in Camden, NJ (1971-1983) and later at The American University in Washington D.C (1988-1996).

He began his teaching career in New York City at Colombia University Law School during the tumultuous times of the 1960s civil rights movement and anti-war protests. His willingness to speak on behalf of the students who took over the administrative halls of campus helped ensure that he was passed over for a tenured position at the time.

He lectured at universities in many parts of the world, including Peking University, the Sorbonne, and Cambridge University. He received honorary degrees from Panteion University in Athens and the University of Buenas Aires.

Tom will be remembered for his keen intellect, his generous heart, his high standards, his company and his conversations. A Celebration of Life is being planned for Monday, April 14 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Click to RSVP.

Celebrating the Life of Tom J Farer Tickets, Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Farer Slide Show - University of Denver - MediaSpace

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