A theme that keeps recurring in my head, is how Tom was the ultimate teacher.  He taught me how to bodysurf, drive a stick shift, snow ski, road bike, and cheered me on as I ran my first River Run.  As an Uncle, he was always doing the same.  Any visit with Tom was filled with games and activities.  Much like my Dad, Tom would create games to endlessly entertain our kids.  Time was spent riding bikes, surfing, paddle boarding, wake boarding, frisbee, bocci ball, and wiffle ball on the beach.
Our oldest son, Austin Cunkle, experienced a lifetime trip to Europe with Tom, Barb, and myself, visiting Paris, Bruge and then traveling to  Belgium for a WWII experience. We retraced  our Dad’s  footsteps in the Hurtgen Forest and attended a memorial ceremony and reenactment celebration of the liberation of  Bihain, Belgium. During the memorial ceremony, our Dad was honored.
Our son WillIam Cunkle,  had the thrill of taking several surfing trips with Tom to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.  He will forever treasure these memories with his “Uncle Surfer Dude”.  Tom would take every opportunity to teach Will how to be a better surfer, teach him about the animals, the ocean, the food and the culture, and always made him attempt his Spanish with the locals.
I have photos of our daughter Lindsey Cunkle and Tom, having a tea party, catching a fish,  driving his boat, building sand castles, and playing games like “hang the spoon on your nose”.  Tom was always making her smile.
Over the years and in the past few weeks, I’ve heard countless stories of people sharing what Tom taught them.  Tom’s most recent sport was competitive rowing.  Through his Marker 14 Rowing Club, he taught countless people of all ages to row and love the sport.
For all the teaching moments he’s had, the most important was what he taught by example.  The way he lived his life. He was a gentlemen and loving husband to Barb.  He treated people with kindness and compassion, always offering help to  others.  He listened intently, cheered on other people’s successes, and genuinely cared for those he loved.
Your Baby Sister will miss you.