Bill Bradford Pemi ’43-’53

The Ridgeway Boys and Jim Bone send our love and sympathy to the entire Reed family at the loss of Tom.
I just returned from a visit with my “Papa” Jim (94). Papa was a fellow camper with TRSR in the late 1920′s and early 30′s. I remember they played baseball together. Pop always revered Tom’s skilled pitching as a boy at Pemi. As the Director of Pemi, I have been blessed with wonderful memories of Tom from my time as a camper. He was my surrogate Grandfather my first summer away when I was 9.
He got me motivated with morning calisthenics, got me there on time “DON’T BE LATE CAMPERS”, and lead me in song. If I live to nearly 100, his impact on my life will still be felt.
My Papa is nearly 100 now. His memory is fading. Conversation is sparse. The one way I could really get through to him on this visit was to sing with him. He remembers the time when he was a boy at Pemi, and we sang Pemi songs.

Tom has retired to his house on the hill.
His spirit is eternal on the shores of Lower Baker.
AAAAAAAAvimen, AAAAAAAAAAAAmen

I’ve been reading this blog and the PEMI 100 years book over the past weeks. Each time I am reminded how much Tom contributed to my life in so many amazing ways. My uncle Sandy wrote above about how the Reed and See/McGaw/Pitts/Engler families have been intertwined in life in and outside of camp for many many years. Years of adventures we all treasure. And what also jumps out at me in the happiness in remembering Tom’s life is how much I benefited from the coaching and life lessons he taught the counselors who would teach me and the seniors who would be role models to me from junior camp to my own counselor years. There are many to thank- Rob Grabill, Larry Davis, Jim Willard, Eddie Sterns, Jaime and Esteban Garcia, Grant and Nikki Wilkinson, Chris Carter, Phil Burnett, Sam Martin, Peter Cowles, Rob Johnson, Charlie Malcom, Fred Seebeck, Russ Brummer, my cousin Karl, and dozens and dozens of others from my seasons 1985,86,88-90;-1992 and 1994.

So Tom — Thank you. Thank you for teaching them and for helping us all appreciate the happiness that is the White Mountains and Camp Pemi.

I am so proud of the teachers, public servants, fathers, brothers, lawyers, doctors, and leaders that Tom influenced and PEMI continues to celebrate.

Tonight and in many nights to come – I will continue laughing and singing my G&S and dining hall songs knowing we are each better for the things you did and said to each of us.

much love,

Bridger McGaw

Walt Newcomb sent me the sad news about Tom’s passing, and I would just like to add my sincere condolences to the many others above.

Virtually everything I love to do in life was inspired by my 10 summers at Pemi, and Tom Sr. was a major part of that inspiration.

Thank you Tom.

Scott Anthony

We were very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. We have joined the Pemi community recently, but were lucky to meet your father last July during an exploratory visit to Pemi, when we drove up to New England to pick a sleep-away camp for our older son, Julian. Watching your father lead the boys singing in the Mess Hall was a very special experience for the entire family. The joy and sense of camaraderie we saw in the faces of so many boys, united by the simple act of singing, made us realize that something unique was going on at this camp. Your father’s joyful interaction with the boys definitely had a part in our falling in love with Pemi.
With much appreciation,
The Tutuncu-Macias family

I was so saddened to hear from my family today of TRSR’s passing. Tom was truly an inspirational person for me, with his guidance coming from his actions, followed by quiet, measured words. I am reassured that he was able to be at home at camp when his time came.

I tried to honor him as I sang my son to sleep tonight with “Now the Day is Over”, a song that I fully associate with the Sunday service at Pemi, an event so obviously beloved (and crafted) by Tom.

In the morning, when I do my exercises, I will smile when I think of how he exhorted us to jump from our cabins and “get the juices jangling”!

I remember the time he drove me to Mary Hitchcock, after I had clanged my head into another’s during a soccer game. His quiet, patient manner saw me through a painful day.

And as grateful as I am for all these things, I’m so touched that he immediately recognized and warmly greeted me at the celebration of the 100th. That, after my having been away from Pemi for years. He took us into the Pemi family and never let go.

Betsy, TRJr–he is the very model of the modern mature gentleman. He will remain so for me and for many others. My deepest sympathies to you.

With much love,
Henry Spindler

Tom Sr. inspired me and so many others. He gave us a kind of code for life, a sense of how we should and could each confidently contribute, and a gentle touch of music, humor, and faith.

Just one favorite memory among my seven years on Lower Baker will always include Tom greeting campers at reveille with his wacky exercises and wake up program (ex: “spastic exercises”).

A truly great man I have often, and will always, think of with a smile.