Listened to Tom, with brother Ray (the "Tappet Brothers"), on Car Talk for years and years and years. The man was intelligent and witty on many levels and about widely varied subject matters, a philosopher and comedian and mechanic all rolled into one. And a laugh that made you laugh (or at least

) regardless of whether or not you 'got' the joke. Never met the guy, but I feel like I've lost a long-time near and dear friend.
If you're interested, NPR is doing a remembrance this afternoon at 2:00 today.