Mexico Day 3 part 5

The third place we inquired we talked to this young man, who knew Tom. Tom had sold his board here to the Sayulita Surf School. He said he would be back to get it. I think he planned to fix his car, then get his next check and buy it back. Several of the young men who where doing flips came over and enthusiastically told us how happy he had been there.
The surf board rack with his board in it.
Tom's board will be surfing the waves in Sayulita without him.

mexico Day 3 part 4

Having done our business, we were once again drawn to Sayulita. We noticed Tom's surf board was not in with his belongings. We thought he may have sold it to get car parts, so we asked around. We saw these young men downing flips off this box, incredible energy one after another

it seemed as if they did it all day everyday, I don't know.
We saw this guy with a Jay Williams shirt. Many of you may know him as a basketball star, I just took it as a sign Tom's long time friend Jay Williams was with us in spirit.

an email from Pat Oleszko

what incredible and heartbreaking news about tom. thank you for giving the backstory and having the ability to put it in a perspective that i can only admire for the sadness that you must have right now. tom was unforgettable even if i haven't seen him in years, i still nurture the vivid memory of his long lank loveliness and quiet charm. i remember one evening dancing with him at your house on cambridge during the festival thinking, wow, love the parents, love the kids, what a house. and that will stay with me forever. i am happy to think that he went quickly and also actively pursuing a dream with all the craziness he could muster.

much love to you all

pat 

Sly eyes and nice smile

The last time I saw Tom was about 20 years ago at Lisa's house in San Francisco. However, my fondest memories of Tom were from the mid 70's in Ann Arbor. I recall those impressive baseball games at vet's park on a humid summer evening or playing backgammon. I am sure I never won. I will never forget those fabulous Wehrer House parties, somehow Tom would manage to pull off another ... just one last party.

Tom was always up for something unexpected and new. He will be missed.

This was the April 1976 Wehrer family calendar photo

Mexico Day 3 part 3

Lisa fingerprinting away the rights to the tsunami mobile.
They allowed Lisa alone to go see the car in the impound. It was an ominous feeling as this big blacked off gate closed behind her.
Here it is. We think they made the hole to get his stuff out.

boogie boarding with David and Carla

OK - not great image quality but I've always loved these pictures.  I guess I really don't know how to scan slides.

Mexico Day 3 part 2

Here we are in the DA's office. Not all we expected.
This is the DA I wish we had a picture that showed just how young he looked, in his ripped up jeans.
The contents of Tom's car had been moved to the DA's office. It made it a bit easier to go through. We brought back mainly books. He had framed pictures of David and David and Carla.

He had a wedding album, and his wedding candle, which had melted and reformed a time or two. Lisa searched all is pockets for a nail clipper that had been David's that Tom treasured. Sadly we did not find it. Tom's wet suit was still wet.