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Post by Registrar on Sept 27, 2015 21:14:17 GMT 8
(L to R) John Moffitt (Canada), Steve Foster (USA) Tom Aring (USA) Karl Welteke (USA) and Paul Whitman (Australia) Friends, I have just learned that today, our good friend and fellow Corregidor student, Tom Aring, has lost his life in an accident on 423 and Main St., Frisco, TX. He was innocently driving home from Kroger and another driver traveling north, distracted by texting and driving, crossed over the median and two lanes, slamming into his car, killing him instantly. Tom was 64 years old, my close friend and confidant, and a stalwart of this Forum. His Avatar was "PHANTOM", named after the comic character of that name. The Phantom was a.k.a. Mr. Walker, "The Ghost Who Walks". Tom had just celebrated 40 years of marriage with Remee, who was a friend of mine and of my wife, Rosie. The Dallas Morning News says as follows: I am too gutted to string further words together at Tom's loss. My consolation goes to Remee, a wonderful lady who had every right to expect to have many more years of Tom's love, his charming manner, his Death Valley dry sense of humor, and his love of their children and of their grandchildren. Paul & Rosie Whitman |
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Post by beirutvet on Sept 27, 2015 22:25:53 GMT 8
Paul
I am terribly saddened by the shocking news that one of our own has been taken from us so prematurely. I never had the pleasure of meeting Tom but conversed with him on occasion here on this site.
At times like these we try and make sense out of senseless, tragic events, but nothing ever comes to mind to explain things.
The only thing that comforts me is to get closer to the ones I love. To hug my wife a little tighter and hold onto it a little longer, to tell my son I love him one more time than I normally would.
Let us all take the time to tell all those in our lives what they mean to us because as it was once said, tomorrow is promised to no one. Do not wait until it is too late.
And let me start with you and tell you, Paul, that I appreciate all you do and have done for all of us on this site. This place is more than a refuge to escape the trials and tribulations of the day and everyone here is like an extended family that I enjoy immensely. I enjoy the people here even more than the subject matter.
My wife and I's thoughts and prayers are now with Tom and his family.
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Post by okla on Sept 27, 2015 23:45:09 GMT 8
Hey Guys....This is, indeed a shocker, I have conversed many, many times with Phantom since I was accepted to the Forum. I always found his knowledge and comments to be very informative and accurate. I, especially, found our little conversations on the "back channel" to be highly enjoyable. This event is double tough to fathom since it was so senseless and preventable. Losing a loved one due to natural causes is difficult enough, but suffering a loss under these circumstances tends to cause me to, sometimes, wonder "what's the point" in even attempting to understand why we are even here. "ole Phantom" will, certainly, be missed and our group, as was said, will be without one of its' "stalwarts". RIP Phantom. A candle will be lit this day by yours truly.
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Post by victor on Sept 28, 2015 1:59:56 GMT 8
I'm so sorry to hear this news. Rest in peace Tom. Salutes and Godspeed. I'm sorry for our loss.
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Post by fortman on Sept 28, 2015 3:57:43 GMT 8
I'm saddened by Tom's untimely passing. This website is the poorer because of his stimulating inputs.
My thoughts and prayers to his family.
fortman
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Post by chadhill on Sept 28, 2015 5:20:08 GMT 8
Oh, no, I am terribly saddened to hear of Tom's passing. I had corresponded with him on numerous occasions on this forum but had never met him, and hoped to join up with him and others some day to explore Corregidor. And now I learn that he resided only a short distance from where I work. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Chad
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Post by wwalker on Sept 28, 2015 6:00:38 GMT 8
Very sorry to hear of Mr. Aring's tragic passing. My condolences to his family.
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Post by batteryboy on Sept 28, 2015 6:38:36 GMT 8
This is a real shocker and truly saddened by his loss. Just last week I was just exchanging emails with him. Now he is gone. I cant believe it.
He is one of the finest gentleman I have ever met. My condolences to his family.
Rest In Peace my dear PARENG TOMAS
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Post by fots2 on Sept 28, 2015 9:36:45 GMT 8
On many occasions Tom and I wandered over much of Corregidor and we planned to continue our little tradition. My deepest condolences to Remee and the rest of the family. So long buddy, you will surely be missed.  |
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Post by steveontherock on Sept 28, 2015 11:38:58 GMT 8
Marcia and I got to know Tom (and to a lesser extent Remee) while we were living on Corregidor. One of the things that made him so amazing was that, despite poor eyesight from diabetes, he had incredible visual discrimination. He could find more things on one hour in the jungle than I found in over six years. Bottles, bombs, bullets, shrapnel, you name it. He knew the island well and knew a lot of things about it as well. We will miss him.
Steve (formerly) on the Rock
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