Tom A. Enz
December 25, 1951 ~ July 26, 2016
Age 64 of Wyoming, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 26, 2016. He was an avid outdoorsman. Preceded in death by his father, Robert. Survived by his partner, Val Doherty; sons, Leaf (Angie), Isaac (Andrea Nash), and Lucas (Tami); their mother, Barb; grandchildren, Aubrey, Ella, Axel, Trevor, Aizer, Zada, and Tillman Enz; mother, Laura; siblings, Mike (Pamela), Kay (Kenny Kalien), Sal (John) Traeger; extended grandchildren, Keagan, Asher, and Stella; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Toms life 2-5 PM Sunday, July 31st, with a time of sharing at 4 PM at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake. Keep on paddling.
The Wyoming men’s book club
Tom on the Yampa River
I only new Tom a short while, I thought he was one of the kindest, gentle, loving, funny, smart, people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I think he was really awesome, completely. …..I will play back the times I had with him in my mind, Over and over and over again……Makes me very sad knowing he his gone now, but he will never be forgotten. ….ever….miss you Tom……….
Tom Enz was my dear friend for nearly 31 years. I know this because of the unique nature of our friendship. We both started going to the Boundary Waters as “the new guys” in 1985. We spent five days together in the wilderness every fall, every year for 30 years. The bond this particular band of brothers has forged is impossible to explain succinctly. If you ask us to describe what we do up there the literal response leave people shrugging their shoulders.
Setting aside the things we did the fact is we worked hard and we played hard and we talked and drank and ate great food and laughed our asses off over and over again. Tom loved to fish, probably more than any of us. I never got beyond ambivalent about fishing, but I spent more time fishing with Tom Enz than any other person in my life.
Tom was not a chatty guy. We spent a lot of time together in completely comfortable silence surrounded by the unending beauty of nature. He might break the silence by asking, “are you going to fish”? Later after freeing yet another lire from a snag I would concentrate on paddling to better position him to catch a fish. He would ask, “aren’t you going to fish”?
Despite my ambivalence we did fish and catch fish. In due time we also talked with the intimacy and trust that comes so natural in that setting between long time friends. We talked about work and relationships, and kids and health and later health problems new relationships and grandkids. We were both pretty smitten by grandkids and he was completely determined to wring as much out of this life as he could with his new relationship with Val.
I got to say good bye with a text message. To my amazement he responded, thanked me for my friendship and told me to “keep paddling”. As I shared with the guys, thank God he didn’t admonish me to keep fishing.
I have lost a dear friend. My deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved him. John Shardlow
I cannot say how many times Tom and I traveled together to Pruhdoe Bay for work, he was was my leader, mentor and confidant when I thought all was lost.
His calmness assured me everything would be fine. I am saddened by his loss and will miss our occasional text messages of “how’s it going Tom?” and his reply would always be a pic of him and Val with a big smile on his face.
I miss you my friend.
Jeff Bird
True to character, Tom showed us amazing braveness and generosity at the end. He chose to not drag it out. He was my mentor, my friend, my big brother ‘hero’ . I always felt somehow ‘safe’ in this world just knowing he was around. And his dying is a reminder to cherish relationships and every minute we have on this earth. We were in his ICU room at Mayo as he watched his last sunset. It was an incredibly spiritual moment. He turned his head to us and said very casually “that’s my last sunset”.
And his last words to me before we left that night were “keep on paddlin’ “.
We will miss you Tommy.
Your brother, Mike
So sad to hear Tom passed away much to young. We worked together for about 20 years and shared many fun memories with family, friends and co-workers. Who could forget his infectious giggle? Sending our deepest sympathy to Leaf, Isaac, Lucas, Barb, family and friends! Our thoughts are with you, Bill & Connie Utecht
We sure have alot of fond memories of Tom, Barb and the boys when we all lived in the “old neighborhood.” One of our boys in fact used Tom’s notorious laugh, unique to Tom, as his screen saver. Tom will be missed; our sincere condolences to Tom’s family, Barb and the kids, Val and her family…and the many grandchildren
Barney and Karen
You lived a full, adventurous life Tom, and you will be missed! I’ll keep an eye on your boys, grandkids and of course Barb! Rest in Peace my friend.
We are so sorry to hear this sad news and for the family’s loss. Tom was a good friend who was always kind, generous and fun to be around. We hope the family is comforted by loving memories and that Tom has found eternal peace. He will be missed. Joan and Charlie Schulze
Tom was a college friend. Very nice man and impressive outdoor love and skills. Saw to hear he died so young. So sorry for your loss.
I worked with Tom Enz in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, when he was our Lead HVAC Engineer. Tom was a good engineer and a great guy to be around, always had good ideas and liked to have fun. I am saddened by his passing. He will not be forgotten. God speed, Tom.
Bill Demming
Prudhoe Bay, AK