Terry Tomalin, the great outdoorsman, as many in Tampa Bay knew him, died on May 19, 2016.
One year later, Tomalin's voice for wildlife preservation and enjoying all the outdoors has to offer, is still being heard loud and clear. He was the "Outdoors Writer and Editor" for the Tampa Bay Times for 25 years. He also spent sometime on ABC Action News with his Sunday segment 'Everyday Adventures.'
What some may not know about Tomalin though, is that he was also an adjunct professor for the University of South Florida- St. Petersburg. That's where Holly Ebbert says she met Tomalin and her life was changed forever.
"I think Mr. Tomalin really devoted himself to many aspects of his life that he felt were important," said Ebbert. "He gave 100-percent to every one of them."
Ebbert was in Tomalin's last class of "Leadership in the great outdoors" course of students and says it was about more than the lesson plan for Tomalin, who was 55 when he died suddenly last year of a heart attack.
"[He was] courageous, loyal and of course adventurous. I wish I could find a better word for adventurous because his stories... you wouldn't believe some of them," said Ebbert.
On Friday, May 19, 2017, the community will gather for a public celebration of Tomalin's life. There, organizers of the event and representatives from USF-St. Petersburg are going to announce the "Terry Tomalin Memorial Scholarship." They are hoping to offer it to students who share a love for the great outdoors, just like Tomalin.
"I think the scholarship will allow Mr. Tomalin's legacy to continue," said Ebbert. "It will allow for people not to forget the type of person that he was and the kind if impact he made."
Lessons that will live on. Only appropriate considering Tomalin was the kind of guy who taught you things you can't find in a textbook.
Tonight's event is at The Tavern at USF-St. Petersburg from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at 120 6th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
