I lost track of TM years ago but awoke during the night (Nov. 22, 2024) knowing I must find him.  I searched for TM online this morning and so very sadly found he had passed b4 his 88th birthday.  

We used to meet TM, Tommy, and Donnie at Joshua Tree in April to climb. Or would meet TM at Lover's Leap. He was the highlight of these trips. He had the most wonderful personality, witty, funny, thoughtful, engaging, and lovely.  I loved being part of his world. I could always find him by opening coolers looking for Dinty Moore cans!🥰

He will be so very missed. 💔 I am so sorry for your loss.😇

With love, Jeff Niwa and Doro Schinella

if anyone is interested i was going to post 3 versions of this photo. 1 with names and numbers, 1 with just the memorial test on top and 1 just the photos. they would be posted on google photos so anyone with the link can download them and they are sized for printing 

let me know if there is any interest

Worked for years with TM, always looked forward to his stories. Always quick witted and always asking how that boy of mine was doing.

Taught me that getting older, and bird watching wasn't the end of adventuring.

God speed TM, you will be missed.

My to condolences TM's family and friends.  I ran into him alot at the Meadows. Easy going and fun to talk to guy. 

I'll be there in spirit. Looking forward to hearing about it from you all. 

For a lot of us TM was a folk hero and the funniest guy we ever met. I never had the chance to see him at his climbing best on the great granite walls, never got to witness his toughness and grit. Once, though, I think I caught a glimpse. 

We were having an end of the year guides campfire in Tuolomne behind the gas station. It was early October, the campground was empty and all us guides and TM were there burning marshmallows and hotdogs over the fire. We had some music playing when a ranger car pulled in and two rangers stepped out, all puffed up in bulletproof vests. "Turn that music off", one of them snapped. No problem we said and dialed it down, figuring that would be the end of that. But it wasn't and the rangers went off on a rant about how us climbers think we own the place and that we needed to understand it was their park. This went on for a while until TM had finally had enough. He stood up from the fire and pointed a finger at the bulletproof vests - "Look, you guys are civil servants - you work for us! We got rid off Nixon - we can get rid of you!" The pop-eyed ranger faces looked ready to explode and they slapped their hands against their holstered hand guns and took a big step towards TM. That, however, was a step too far and without a word all ten of us stood up and moved towards them. Nobody messes with TM! The civil servants screeched to a halt and, hands still fondling their pistols, backed into their car and drove away. 

That incident has stuck with me, not just for the comedic value but for the fearless quality that TM exhibited and that we clearly lacked. It also showed how much we loved him. I kinda doubt there would have been such an instant show of defense if the rangers would've come after me or one of the others - Hell, more snacks for the rest of us! But TM was an icon and a hero and right now, more than ever, we need heroes.

Hi everyone,

I can't figure out how to post another update, so thought I would put it here.  I private messaged some of you, but not everyone is signed up, so trying this!

Wanted to mention that there is free parking in the parking garage across Virginia St from Whitney Peak.. Just tell them you are here for the "Celebration of Life". Valet is available for $20.

Also, many friends have made reservations at the Whitney Cafe after the ceremony. I spoke to the restaurant yesterday and they said they can separate the bill up to 4 credit cards, but they encouraged the table to square up amongst themselves, so perhaps bring cash if possible. If you would like to stay a little longer but don't have a reservation, the bar area is available and has a limited menu. Please be patient and kind to the staff,

we will overwhelm them with our number of people, and they asked that we do not block

the walkway do to fire code and wait staff accessibility. Looking forward to seeing everyone

tomorrow at 2:00!

Sondra

Nov. 6, 2024, 8:10 a.m.