TWIM

3 weeks ago

We all lost a giant in Pacific Northwest Swimming yesterday. And I lost a very dear, close friend in Thomas Walker. My heart breaks for his family.

Tom was the inspiration behind TWIM, Team Walker International Masters, after he showed up one day to an event in 2014 wearing a t-shirt that read “TEAM WALKER | Lifetime Member”. Betsey Kassen and I fell in love with that, and the rest is, as they say, history.

Tom was a true polymath, a multi-talented and multi-faceted soul, a Renaissance Man if you will, who learned to read Greek, play multiple instruments, and take in and partake in all forms of history and art. Heck, I even got him into birding. All the while he exuded a joy-filled spirit propelled by a wonderful humor, writing prowess, and a deep faith in a higher being.

Tom loved TWIM, and he would never miss an opportunity to cheer on his teammates prior to an event:

“Once again the Hour is upon us. Time to live out our Credo, which is to get up on the blocks at every opportunity and give it our all, for ourselves and for our teammates.

In keeping with sacred tradition, I have lit the Victory Torch high atop TWIM Tower and started the Ceremonial Meet Clock.

For it is in this very act, the summoning up of all within to step up upon these blocks, that our most enduring Victory lies.

Rally around the Old Blue and White!”

Godspeed in that great pool in the sky, my friend. ... See MoreSee Less