"As a Cub and Boy Scout Troop leader, Tom participated in many hikes and backpacking experiences with the troop and our sons, who both earned the rank of Eagle Scout. I can picture him sharing information on those hikes, as he had a remarkable memory and always had education and wisdom to impart."
Meixner Family Voices Support: The Plan to Dedicate Trail to Tom Meixner 'Lit a Spark of Joy in My Brain'
Feb. 10, 2024
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Kathleen, Sean, Thomas and Brendan Meixner on a family trip in 2021.
Image: Courtesy of the Meixner family
Feb 10, 2024 Updated Feb 10, 2024
"In November 2022, we received communication from members of the Cienega Watershed Partnership, inviting us to gather at the home of two of its members to discuss “Honoring Tom’s Legacy.” The gathering was a potluck and included people who knew Tom from different groups across the community."
"Then, after we ate together, the hosts invited each person to share how we knew Tom. The stories were beautiful and heartfelt. These people cared for Tom deeply as a colleague and friend. Their stories paint precious highlights in the picture I have of my amazing husband. Their stories and their goodness to Tom and to us have been a source of healing and hope."
"The “Honoring Tom’s Legacy” group is a group of planners and doers. They already had brainstormed ways to continue Tom’s work and remember him. I think of all the endeavors which were mentioned, the idea of establishing a trail to remember Tom lit a spark of joy in my brain."
"The reason for this is that while Tom had a very meaningful connection with the natural world through his work, he also wanted to share special experiences with (our sons) Sean and Brendan and me of connecting with the land. When Tom and I first met, he planned our second date, which was a hike. When the boys were growing up, we created wonderful memories on camping trips, which almost always included at least a “short hike” as Tom would call it. Short for Tom almost always meant an adventure that was a little longer than we expected."
"As I reach back into my memory, which is blurred by grief, I recall an outing our family had to the Gabe Zimmerman trailhead and a hike/run on that trail. I never would have considered that our family would be participating in a similar initiative to support and name a trail in Tom’s honor."
"During the pandemic, Tom took our family on a special tour of the Cienega Watershed. It included many sights and “short hikes.” Many placards were read (because for Tom, no placard can be left unread), and Tom shared information with us about this land which he loved. We will treasure this time with him always."
"In January of 2023, we were invited by members of the Cienega Watershed Partnership to visit the watershed and a possible trail site. Tom’s sister, Joan, visited us at that time so that she could be a part of this initiative, and my brother, Colin, joined as well. Sean and I rode with partnership leaders who shared with us the virtual tour of the watershed, which, to my understanding, was partially Tom’s idea. We met with Bob Proctor from the Friends of Sonoita Creek, as well as members of the Mountain Empire Trail Association. Again, these wonderful people shared their connection with Tom and were so gracious in meeting with us to discuss the initiative."
"We visited a potential site of a trailhead and trail along what is currently called the “Train Track Trail.” It has a section which is adjacent to the creek, and I can imagine Tom stopping to squat down and look at the flowing water as he often did whenever we encountered water on one of our family hikes. I can imagine him delighting in the fact that we would like to develop this trail to connect parts of the Arizona Trail in the area. I anticipate the possibility that Boy Scouts could participate in the trail development effort, which would be so meaningful to Tom."
"I envision a stop for the “Connecting with the Land” event (an event in the Cienega Watershed which Tom spearheaded and helped to develop) at some point in the future at the trailhead, with a placard that we can all read to remember Tom and celebrate his ability to make connections with and between people, and with the land which he loved."
"My family and I fully support and look forward to helping out with this perfect tribute to Tom."