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.

A Valentine For You Tom, My Friend!

Tom, I didn't write these myself but I wish I had. It might be a little sappy "smile", which I know will make you squirm, but it states so clearly my feelings this Valentines Day, so I'm going to post it anyway "smile". I Miss You My Friend!! Happy Valentines Day, know that you are loved!!!

Valentine’s Day reminds me
how meaningful my feelings are for you.
You have a special place in my world
that no one else could fill.
Out of your overflowing heart,
you add color and light to my life.
You continually cross my mind,
like a precious dose of sunshine,
lighting me up inside--
as I think of you
and the lasting memories
we have created together.
No Valentine gift
is as precious to me
as you are,
my Valentine friend.

People come and people go,
In and out of your life and so,
When one shines bright among the rest,
And is there when needed, you’re truly blessed.
That is how I see you, friend of mine,
And why I’m sending this Valentine.

Poem By Karl Fuchs
Entry By KA

Tom Beatty Cool

I'm glad to find this site. I didn't know Tom that long, but the time that I did know him was awesome. We both spent years in Santa Cruz, (I grew up there and left in '02) both down at the water, in town, and at the University. I'm bummed we never knew each other in SC, but I bet we passed each other on W. Cliff drive many times (on bikes, of course). We also both worked for Challenge Alaska, which is where I was finally lucky enough to meet him. Tom was a rock star in everything he did for Challenge, at ski school, and also for other projects. He helped me a lot with the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Sadler's Ultra Challenge Criterium in downtown Anchorage on the 4th of July. It was amazing how in tune we were....it was like the vulcan mind meld....we didn't say much, we just dove in and got it done. Thing is....I hear that alot about Tom. My connection with him wasn't really all that unique. He was just one of those rare guys who could put anybody at ease. I think most people who met him immediately liked him, and I'm certainly no exception.

Although I only knew Tom for a brief few years of his too short life, I still think about him often and I know that he's dropping a knee, or dropping in on a wave somewhere right now. Maybe he's out at the Lane or at Pleasure Point, or maybe he's skiing some deep in the Chugach backcountry. No matter, you can bet that I will always tip one for you, Tom...whether in SC, AK or anywhere else I happen to reminded of what cool really is....it's Tom Beatty cool.

- Ian Lawless, Challenge Alaska