Passing of Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, and Carl Young

[Skip Talbot]

Let's keep the pictures from the scene off of here... at least for now. We can talk about that in another topic later, or post them here if other mods think it's appropriate, but I thought this more of a remembering and grieving place. We lost some friends and it hits home. If you have any comments, concerns about Stormtrack, or just need somebody to talk to, I'll be around on here and in the chat the rest of the day.

 

[Chris Frost]

This is absolutely horrible to hear. Just a total loss for words. I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers to the Samaras and Young families.

Rest in Peace fellow chasers.

 

[D. Vance]

I'm so shocked that it was him killed. He was always the smart one; he seemed to know tornadoes better than anyone, and I can't believe that he got caught. We've lost a true hero, and he will be missed. I wanted to meet him so bad, but I was too late, just now coming on to the scene.
Any plans for a fundraiser for the families? Maybe a memorial shirt, like StormAssist does for tornado victims?

 

[Tim Shriver]

Shocked and saddened by this. Great guy and crew. They will be missed.

RIP....and Gods Speed...

Tim

 

[Kem Poyner]

I met Tim on a few occasions over the years. He helped me with some problems with my Tracvision set-up years back. He was humble, helpful and such a great human being, it won't be the same without him out there. If any positive is to be found in this horrible event it is this...IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO TIM< IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!!! Think real hard before chasing near a big city. My thoughts go out to the families impacted.

 

[Bob Schafer]

Suggested reading:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/sho...rage-age-of-storm-chasers&p=280790#post280790

 

[TiffanyR]

I couldn't believe it when I heard the news this morning, and I haven't been able to stop thinking of it all day. While I hadn't met these three, I had followed them for a while and appreciate all the great work they did. They were brilliant and will be missed. Many thoughts and prayers to their families. Rest in peace, Tim, Paul and Carl.

 

[M. Honcho]

Just unbelievable. I'm truly shocked. Rest in peace Tim, Paul and Carl.

 

[Joe Zemek]

I heard on NPR this afternoon that chasers were among the dead... like everyone else, I never, ever would have thought it would be Tim. I didn't know him--met him with Roger Hill once, years ago--but have followed his work a bit. I'm stunned, & profoundly sad for those who knew & loved him, Paul, & Carl. Words struggle, but may they ever hold in warm remembrance these too-soon departed men.

 

[Ken Langford]

Hi All,

I am an infrequent visitor to StormTrack these days. I am mostly a lightning guy.

I knew Tim through my association as a speaker and attendee at the Chaser Convention in Colorado. I did not know his son, or Carl Young.

Tim came to speak to our group, the Lightning Data Center at St Anthony Hospital in Denver in November of 2007. He gave a great presentation on his high speed lightning images. It was his footage that first showed me motion images of the stepped leader process of lightning formation - a holy grail of lightning research.

What I loved about Tim was not just his enthusiasm for storm research but his engineering competence and his tenacity to pursue some of the difficult data and questions in the field of storm research. He did not just wonder about things, he set out to design ways to answer some of the mysteries. Then he actually delivered some spectacular successes in data collection. He was a diligent scientist as well as an enthusiast.

My hat is off to Tim, and I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all three men.

I hope someone can work with the family and/or his research associates to be sure that his hard won data is available for future study and assessment. I cannot imagine that he would want his work to perish along with himself.

I echo the poster who mentioned that "if it can happen to Tim, it can happen to anyone." The risks have never seemed more real. I have heard many a tale of the "close call" that went on to be a great chase story. Not so today. Please be careful out there.

Ken Langford

 

[Tim Shriver]

Suggested reading:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/sho...rage-age-of-storm-chasers&p=280790#post280790

Wow,,Good find. Thanks for finding this.

Tim

 

[Gordon Spencer]

Off the three , I really only knew Tim .We lost a great one . Tim was a true gentleman in every sense of the word . I am sure if his son was anything like his father , was as well .As far as a their chasing partner . to be in the company of Tim speaks volumes of his character. My condolences to their friends and family.

 

[Justin Wiley]

I didn't know Tim personally but I hurt as if I had. Totally shocked. This really sucks, big time.

Condolences to the families of the three.

 

[Kenneth Johnson]

Very sad news today- may we all learn in the days and weeks to come. It's tough to loose one of the best.

 

[Scott Nelson]

This news hit me and my family hard. I didn't know Tim but always felt like he was the kind of guy I would bond with. His easy going nature driven by the science of his trade is/was an inspiration. As various thoughts came to my mind I believe the sadest one is that he'll no longer be around to warn the public of approaching storms and subsequently save lives. Hopeful his research will be used to continue his work for years to come. Thank you Tim and the rest of your crew for all you did.