A Birthday Message for Tom
Happy Birthday, Tom Richards

My flight instructor is turning an age which he should be proud of reaching. With it comes much wisdom.

His wife asked some of the people in his life to share their thoughts about Tom.

Below are those that I sent to him. I only wish I had a photo of him to attach with it.

Bill

-----Birthday Message-----

Good Morning Tom,

A Happy Birthday to a man who has been a blessing to me in so many ways.

First, you enabled me to begin the journey of achieving a life-long dream, to soar among the clouds and eagles, to see the world from a new perspective and anticipate in a small way what my Savior's arrival, return, might seem like.

Secondly, you (and Diana) recognized my need to pursue a challenge, an adventure, to find some release, and success, away from the struggles of my marriage and Sharri's condition. Learning to fly has been that for me. When I needed a listening ear, you were there and then you led me in learning a new skill in my quest for flight and the freedom of the sky. In some ways, it was the best 'therapy' available.

Thirdly, you were willing to share from your own experiences as I received news of the advancement of my mother's cancer. Given some of the similarities to your first wife's condition, I expect this was not easy. While my mother's journey is not yet completed, your encouragement and willingness to share from your own life has blessed me.

Tom, I have only touched the surface of how you touched my life. You have also been very accepting of my children, encouraging them to come and engaging them in the experience. You touched the lives of Margaret, Fleeter, and Jerry in ways that continue to give us a point of common contact and interest. Even my wife Sharri remembers her times in your classroom with fondness.

You have even been willing to go out of your way when I needed assistance with a vehicle, on more than one occasion.

And I have seen you do such things with others through ground school and lessons.

You have don so much more than teach me to fly, or insights to flight, the aviation industry/community, teaching (in general) and just welcoming me into the fraternity of aviators.

You have been used by God to lift my spirit, to fly even while my unfortunate feet might be planted on the ground.

I hope, someday, that I might become a CFII who invests in and touches lives as you do. I thank God for you and ask that He bless you in the years ahead.

Happy Birthday Tom,

Bill Emmerling