Happy 43rd Birthday Beatty! Still Shining Bright!

Tom,

Here's to you!! You still shine bright in all our hearts!

With candles burning and beers toasten, Happy Birthday Our Friend!

LOVE Your AK Posse.

(Photo: thanks to Eric Teela).

I will always remember...

I will never forget that day, and I will always remember Tom as my personal hero.

I miss him. Thought of him the other day as I walked on the beach in Homer with a new friend. There was a group of schoolchildren there and I thought about Lindsay missing her Dad. When I was 7 my dad was nearly killed in a bike accident on the Seward highway and I am blessed every day to have him in my life. Living with a traumatic brain injury is not all that easy, but I feel fortunate. With Tom, our dear friend, he left a lasting impression on Everyone he met, young or old, and he was your best friend at that moment in time. Tom stopped talk with my Dad every day on his way home from Challenge, moments I will cherish forever. The simple short conversations between neighbors and friends. Tom was often the only reason I crawled out of bed on a stormy winter morning, to volunteer at Challenge, and get a Tom hug and a million dollar smile before teaching a lesson. And of course he was always there to talk it out at the end of the day if things didn't go so well on the hill. Or to just bask in the glory of the day and share a beer on the back porch and watch the sun set over Turnagain Arm. When his Mom said to me at his memorial, " I see him in your eyes", I was honored, blessed, and heartbroken all at once. I would love to see the slide show again someday, and celebrate his life at Challenge with friends and some beer, and to see a Tom Beatty Learning Center started. My small wish. And to light a candle with your dear Kirsten, and share a beer in the Eagles nest on the stormiest of days, just as Tom and I did. Watching the ravens play in the wind and snow and sitting on our gloves, sipping a fine Irish beer.

Hugs,love and peace forever, Heather

Happy 42nd Birthday Tom!

Today, Tom would have been 42 years old, a young man in the prime of life. We join all his friends in remembering Tom today, over three years after his tragic accident.

Tom loved Christmas and birthdays, although he may have felt a little disappointed that his birthday was so close to Christmas. He loved getting presents, no matter whether Christmas or his birthday. We made sure that he wasn't slighted on his birthday and always tried to make it special by keeping a few special gifts for that occasion. So, in a real sense, he received a bonus day of gifts and partying, only five days after Christmas. I doubt that he was ever really disappointed!

On Christmas, Tom was the first one up at daybreak, nudging his sister, Carol, to wake up to see what Santa had left. Frequently, we parents were hoping for a few more hours of shuteye, having been up half the night assembling, building or simply wrapping presents. Heaps of colorful presents and stockings stuffed with goodies awaited until we all could drag ourselves out of bed. A huge Santa-face breakfast cake made the day before was warmed in the oven. Great fun ensued as all the carefully wrapped gifts became transformed into special, "that's what I always wanted" treasures and piles of wrappings. That unbridled joy of discovery by both Tom and Carol lasted into adulthood with the same child-like enthusiasm.

His birthdays were usually preceded with renewed enthusiasm and anticipation over the next five days. Tom was such a joy at this time of year.

So, Tom, after three years, the pain of our loss remains, but is tempered by your love for life and the joyous memories of 38 years you gave us.

We love you,

Mom & Dad

Link To Greg Peck's X-Games Video

Tom, 3 years and your still alive and well in all of our hearts! Love you buddy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYgmZOsNtdI

Greg Peck: On Winter X Games 2010

I won silver at the Winter X-Games and I know you were with me the whole time! Tom I miss you and can't thank you enough for what you did for me! Gregory!

Lasting Memories..we are all better for knowing him.

My heart sank when I decided to try and reconnect with Tom and found this website.

I went to high school with Tom. Tom and I knew each other in high school but really became close friends playing on the football team. After high school we continued to hang out. I remember making the hour and a half drive countless times from Martinez/Walnut Creek to Santa Cruz with Tom and getting to the beach before sunrise to surf at 26th street or at Waddell Creek. Then when Tom moved to Santa Cruz, I crashed at his place more times than I can count and we would surf Sharks or some other break. Even if the waves were small Tom and I would have a great time. He was a great friend.

I attended Toms wedding in Santa Cruz and then we lost touch when he moved to Alaska. We caught up a few times when he came back to the bay area but I never did make it up to Alaska to visit.

Tom and I had a lot of fun together surfing and hanging out and I am very sorry he passed. He was such a giving, sweet guy. He will be sorely missed.

With a heavy heart, I pray for healing and happiness for Julie, Lindsey and Toms family. In our sadness, we can at least know that the people Tom came in contact with while he was here, are better for knowing him.

Randy

Some Of The Best Times Of My Life!

We would all sit out front of Toms cabin, one guide had a guitar and would play or we would listen to Toms music and B.S. all night. Those were some of the best times of my life.
One other thing Tom used to do that was funny is we would all go down to one of the lakes by the lodge after the clients left and play horseshoes. Tom would line up look both ways then kick dirt back like a bull about to charge.
I know it is hard to imagine but it was hilarious.----good times! Live, laugh, love and be happy is right because that is how Tom lived!

Patrick

The Great Bear Spray Incident

Here is a quick funny story. Tom and I were on our dayoff and got flown out to a river to check it out and fish all day. We had a blast and when we got to the lake to wait for our plane we had left a few cold beers so we were sitting there BSing when I told Tom I had this can of bear spray for 3 years now and wondered if it still was any good. Tom said "Go ahead and spray it once the wind was going away from us." So I gave it a good spray, of course the wind changed and blew it back on us. We both were crying and laughing at the same time. I mean we were both really hurting but we just couldn’t stop laughing. Anyways as you know that was Tom for you.

Patrick

Tom Never Let Anything Get Him Down

Did you ever hear about the night Tom and 2 clients were stranded overnight in Sept up at the pickup lake on the American, if not it was pretty crazy. Tom took these 2 guys from New York that weren’t the best clients, I think they were lawyers of course. I got picked up and a huge storm rolled in when I got back to the lodge. Chris tried a few times to fly in and pick Tom up but he just couldn’t do it. It rained and rained all night long. All I could think about was this really stinks for Tom. I knew there wasn’t much wood out there and all they had was the lunch they took. Anyways as early as Chris could fly he went and got them. I was waiting by the lake when they pulled in. First the 2 clients hopped out looking like death warmed over and not happy, then Tom popped out with a big smile on his face as always. We got back to his cabin and he told me how they were freaking out about the bears coming to get them and complaining about no food, etc. So of course Tom never letting anything get him down tried to keep them busy by picking berries and collecting a little firewood. All night long they whined and were freaked out , but Tom held it together.Tom hopped off the plane after being out in the rain all night with a couple of bad clients and had a big smile on his face. It is just funny how he never let a crazy situation get him down.

Patrick

Happy 40th Birthday Tom! You Are Still The Best!

My Last "Irish Jig" With Tom

This was my last season guiding with Tom in Alaska. Tom and I were dropped off on Kulilk lake with are 2 rafts and 4 clients for the day. We both started pumping up the rafts by a foot pedal and as you know Tom made it fun by doing a little foot dance as he pumped up the little rafts. Like a irish jig dance the clients always howled and it broke up the monotonous foot pumping I always did the same dance with those rafts. They were tiny, I mean big enough for me to sit in the middle and the clients to sit on each end with there legs hanging off the ends.. We had done this a dozen times and we were guiding some Brits or clients from England and they were fun guys. Anyways we finished blowing up our "Charlie Brown" rafts, loaded up and started down the river. Tom was in the lead and I was a little ways back. I came around the first big corner and I could see Tom rowing in front about a 100 yards out but he was waving his arms at me. So as I came around the corner completely I saw a sow bear on the left and a sub adult cub on the right.. I knew this wasn’t good and knew why Tom was waving at me and as soon as I thought about it the sow stood up and started clacking her teeth, it is worst then someone scratching a chalkboard. So I was already commited and couldn’t pull over I started rowing for my life (thinking Tom made it I can to). So I was rowing this little Charlie brown raft as fast as it could go. The sow already mad at Tom was not happy and charged my raft the clients thought it was like Disney Land and were taking pictures without a care in the world. While I was rowing and getting my pepper spray ready at the same time. Anyways the sow stopped mid stream only because it was deep enough she couldn’t get to us and had to swim. I was freaked out, I met up with Tom at the first pull off to fish and set the clients up with there rods. I was still shaking terribly when Tom said when we were alone, "Have you checked your waders because I need to check mine." We both kind of laughed it off as we both trembled tying on flies the rest of the day. I mean I had been close enough to touch Bears by accident all the time but never had one do a full charge at me ready to tear me up. That was the end for me. I told Tom I am done and that was the last season I guided in Alaska.

Patrick

Stomach Still Hurts From Laughing

Hello,
I was glad to find this site for Tom and it is such a great tribute to the great guy he was,
I wanted to add a little bit about Tom as a flyfishing guide. It is hard to put into words the many memories I shared guiding in Alaska with Tom, I first met Tom when we both started guiding at Royal Wolf Lodge. We became good friends right off the bat, he was the best fishing buddy I ever had and I have so many great fishing stories and days dual guiding with Tom that I could go on and on. Tom had such a great sense of humor that everybody loved. We had so many good laughs after a day of guiding that my stomach still hurts from laughing. I will only put in these two pranks that Tom and I did that were pretty funny at the time, we had a young rookie guide that was taking some clients on a long hike the next day to one of the remote rivers we guided. Tom thought it would be funny to put a few big rocks in the bottom of his backpack for the day. So we did and we were waiting for him to return back at the lodge. He arrived looking a little tired and steamed for a 21 year old guy. The next was putting a few beed’s in some unnamed guides waders. It was one of many little harmless pranks that Tom came up with. He was hilarious and his attitude was one of a kind. First off he was one hell of a flyfishing guide. I always strived to not just be a knowledgeable guide but one that people would never forget. I learned that from Tom. He was one of those people that you just always wanted to be around. He was so patient and enjoyed getting other people into big fish more then himself. He was the best teacher/friend anyone could ever ask for. I know there are countless fishermen that have great memories fishing with the best guide I have ever known. I always think of Tom when I wet a line or when I take somebody fishing. He is missed dearly and always will be remembered. My condolences to his wife Julie, daughter Lindsay and family.

Sincerely
Patrick Hamman
www.patrickhamman.com

REMEMBERING TOM

REMEMBERING TOM ...

Nearly a year ago, our son, Tom died tragically in a floatplane crash in Alaska. It has been a very difficult time for us. We have been trying to think how we can best honor Tom’s memory of his life in his favorite place on earth Alaska. In cooperation with Joyanna Geiser, Director of The Independent Living Center in Homer, AK, we have developed a Tom Beatty Memorial Fund to support Alaskans with disabilities. Tom was the Director of their TRAILS program where he enabled folks with disabilities to have fun learning to enjoy the outdoors through fishing, kayaking, skiing and other activities. His love of adventure, teaching new skills, and his unique ability to encourage people of all abilities to expand their horizons gave so many a new outlook on life. His good-natured manner gave people confidence in themselves and immense satisfaction in achievements they never thought possible.

One example, a young man named Greg was paralyzed from the waist down from an auto accident as a teenager. Down on life and close to giving up, Tom encouraged Greg to learn to ski at the Aleyeska Ski Resort in a special device called a “mono ski” “You can sit on the couch or come out on the slopes”, Tom would challenge. With natural ability, Greg soon mastered the ski so well that Tom took him to the Paralympic Training Center in Vail 2007. The trip was funded by The Independent Living Center. Although crushed by Tom’s death, Greg returned again to Vail in 2008 and has committed himself to move to Colorado to continue training for the Paralympics. His training and equipment will benefit from Tom’s Memorial Fund.

Greg wrote us in an email “Tom was such a big influence on my life. He gave me back the thing I needed the most - hope.”

Tom believed that everyone, no matter their disability must take responsibility as their part in learning new challenges. This fund will enable The Independent Living Center to sponsor individuals like Greg and many others willing to take that responsibility to turn their disabilities into new found abilities.

We ask your support in this endeavor by making a contribution to The Independent Living Center. The enclosed brochure elaborates on the fund and its purpose. We also enclose a small copy of the Memorial Citation created by the Alaska State Legislature in recognition of Tom’s remarkable work with the people of Alaska.

signed by Russ and Jane

TOM BEATTY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS & PROGRAMS

Greg and Tom at The Olympic Training Center in Vail, Colorado

JOIN US... in helping others have the time of their lives by donating to the Tom Beatty Memorial; assisting persons of all abilities to participate in recreation and individual pursuits.

TOM'S LEGACY......
Tom loved life and lived it to the fullest, whether he was carving a turn at Alyeska, hooking a big one on the American Creek in Katmai or going on a Monster Slide at the water park with his daughter Lindsay. But most of all Tom loved seeing people of all abilities having fun and trying out new adventures no matter how big or small. Tom's energy and life lives on in all who knew him. The Tom Beatty Memorial will support Alaskans with disabilities to pursue their dreams of adventure, fun and confidence in life.

HOW YOU CAN HELP.....
The Independent Living Center is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides services to people and families experiencing disabilities. TRAILS is our inclusive recreation component that incorporates recreation, adventure and community into our services and our lives. Tom was an integral part of the development of TRAILS. Tom's family, co-workers and friends have come together to find a way of sharing Tom's love and joy of the outdoors. This Memorial Fund will enable us to provide unique activities and/or equipment for individuals wishing to access adventure and personal dreams. We are asking those who knew Tom and those who support his mission of everyone having fun in life to please make your tax deductible donations to:

TOM BEATTY MEMORIAL (C/O ILC)
BOX 2474
HOMER, ALASKA 99603


Caleb horsin' around with Tom on the Kenai River.

Where there's a will there's a way; fishing the Kasilof with Colton, Tom and Jaha.

Chanda and Tom hit the ice in TRAILS new sledge.

Tom setting up camp for TRAILS first overnight.

Jeremey and Tom paddling in Kayaker's Cove.

Colton and Tom fishing Johnson Lake.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln

Tribute To Tom

We are so grateful to Senator Con Bunde of the Alaska Legislature for this beautiful tribute to our son. Tom will always live in our hearts. He'll never be forgotten. Russ and Jane

Click on image to read.

The smile that will last forever..taken the day before.