The memorial for Tom Zbyszewski, who died at age 20 fighting the Twisp River Fire, drew 1,000 people to Liberty Bell High School in the Methow Valley to honor his memory and celebrate his life. Friends, relatives and teachers remembered Tom as a thinker and a leader who had great empathy for others at the Sept. 6, 2015 memorial. He loved learning, acting, making people laugh – and firefighting. “He always lifted people up,” a close friend told the gathering.
Tom and two other firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service died Aug. 19 just hours after the fire erupted; another firefighter was severely burned, and three others suffered less-serious burns.
For more information on the death of the three firefighters, see our earlier article, Forest Service releases information about firefighter deaths.
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Tom’s parents, Richard and Jennifer Zbyszewski, said the massive support they have received has helped them as they grieve. Before Tom was born, Jennifer said she had imagined all the things she would teach him, but said it was Tom who taught them, through his embrace of life and respect for everyone he encountered. “Be kind and be happy. Try new things and don’t gossip. And truly value everyone you meet, especially those you think are on the fringe of society,” she said, summing up her son’s outlook on life.
Many of Tom’s friends and former classmates and their families came to share their remembrances and to celebrate his life.
Tom’s father, Richard (“Ski”), talked of his depths of sadness and of gratitude, and read a poem to honor his son.
At least 1,000 people came to share their respects, memories and support for the vast community that shares this loss – among them Tom’s family and friends, firefighters and first responders, Methow Valley residents, and teachers from the Methow Valley and Whitman College.
Liberty Bell High School English and Spanish teacher Adam Kaufman recalled Tom’s facility with languages – not only English and Spanish, but also Chinese.
The service was deeply emotional, filled with warmth, tenderness and also humor.
Tom’s aunt (his father’s sister) traveled from Rhode Island to be with the family and to share her memories. She described Tom as a thoughtful, curious and precocious child who had mastered the Polish pronunciation of their last name – Zbyszewski (bah-SHEV-ski) – by age 3.
Retired Liberty Bell High School English and drama teacher Jane Orme spoke of Tom’s passion for the theater and shared her memories of him. “He was genuine, honest and fearless,” she said.
Former Methow Valley School District superintendent Mark Wenzel quoted Tom’s eloquent descriptions of his classmates from his 2013 graduation speech as salutatorian.
Nick Saunders, a lifelong friend of Tom’s, described their conversations about physics and fluid mechanics when they worked as lifeguards at the Twisp pool. “Tom’s sense of humor is as memorable as his intelligence,” he said, recalling how even a quick glance from Tom could trigger convulsions of laughter.
John Sinclair sang an original song, “Smoked Out of Heaven,” in honor of his friend and classmate.
Tom’s parents, Jennifer and Richard “Ski” Zbyszewski, showed remarkable strength and composure as they listened to the tributes and recollections.
Corbett Gordon said she considers herself Tom’s “honorary grandmother.”
