Thomas Russell Troutner
1984 - 2015
Our much beloved son, brother, and friend, Thomas Russell Troutner, died September 2015 at his home in Boulder, Colorado of unknown causes. Tom was born December 2, 1984 in McCall, Idaho. He attended high school at McCall-Donnelly High School where he excelled in track, cross-country, and Nordic skiing. At school, everyone knew where Tom was because he always wore a letterman's jacket that was full of gold medals which clanked when he walked down the halls. He still holds the 800 meter record at the high school.
After high school, Tom went to Alvsbyn, Sweden for a year where he trained for Nordic skiing and became fluent in Swedish. When Tom returned from Sweden, he attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, but ended up going a different route and worked for Boulder Nordic Sport for 5 years. While there, he eventually became the manager of the service department. He then moved on to work with his mentor and friend Zach Caldwell for two seasons in Putney, Vermont.
Tom had an adventurous spirit and loved the outdoors, hiking, skiing, travel, BSU football, reading, and animals- especially his cat Raffi. He hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2011 making it all the way to Mount Shasta. He completed the Kungsleden Trail in Sweden in 2013. Tom went to the Sochi Olympics in 2014 where he was the wax technician for a pair of Nordic skiers on Team Dominica. He was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail again this year, but was forced to stop in Washington due to trail closures caused by forest fires. He intended to complete the trail when it opened back up later this fall.
Tom made friends wherever he went. There was no such thing as a stranger in his book. When Tom was home he could be found in his garden, working on home projects, or hanging out with friends. He liked canning food from his garden and making his own home brews.
Tom is preceded in death by his grandma, Kathy Troutner and his grandpas, Floyd Smith, Art Troutner, Sr, and Earnie Johnson. He is survived by his parents, Art and Carol of McCall; his sister, Kelsey and her family Dayton, Piper, and Reese Young of Boise; his sister, Tegan of Salt Lake City; his grandma, Norita Smith of Caldwell; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends from all over this country and several others.
Memorial Services will be held September 26, 2015 at the McCall Cemetery at 2 p.m.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Statesman on Sep. 23, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Troutner

Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.

35 Entries

Bronson Runner

February 9, 2018

Hey man just watching the winter Olympics opening ceremony and thought of you. I hope you're in a better place.

Max Bechdel

September 23, 2017

Just looked at our photos from the JMT. Miss you man.

William Willett

January 15, 2016

I met Tom on the PCT this year. I was at Kennedy Meadows south and wandered over to the two guys playing chess. Tom was being trounced and I sat down to play the winner. A few weeks later, after snows had pummeled us, I followed Tom out of Lone Pine towards Forrester Pass.

I followed him, because he filled me with confidence that we could make it over Forrester. I'm 63 and a novice hiker, but I ran parts of the Sierras to keep up with Tom.

We arrived at Crabtree Meadow and many of us waited for Tom to get back from his attempt at snowy Whitney. Our tents blossomed white with inches of snow that night. But I was confident we'd make Forrester the next day.

On our way to Forrester we met a dozen people returning the other direction heading back out at Lonepine. They had failed to cross Forrester. Tom, with his simple quiet demeanor said, "well they obviously didn't know to climb the rocks to the left". And that day, we climbed the rocks on the left and crossed the pass in a snowstorm following Tom and others' butt slide path into the 20 foot dark grey visibility dropping before us.

Were it not for meeting this wonderful man, I would have turned back at the Sierras and likely not have finished my trek. Crossing the Sierras was a piece of cake to him.

To his father and mother, what a wonderful man you raised. I would trust him with my life.

Haymaker

December 24, 2015

I initially knew about Flying Fish from the As It Happens documentary. He was hiking the PCT again this year, and I met him when we were both over 2000 miles in. I talked with him for a long while next to a lake in northern Oregon that we camped at with some other people. He was so calm and easy going, nothing could bother him.

We were both from Boulder, and I was looking forward to staying friends with him after the trail. Everyone who met Flying Fish loved him, and I am happy that I got to meet him in such a beautiful place on our long walk.

Andrew Delima

October 3, 2015

may your soul be rest in the hands of Almighty God-and with the lord jesus Christ.

Sam Georgi

October 1, 2015

It's rare to meet a person like Tom. I spent a short time with him, but it was such a fond memory that I'd find myself thinking throughout the summer, "I wonder how Flying Fish is doing?" My heart breaks that this earth and the trail have lost such a decent, caring, fun, fantastic human being. To Toms family, I'm so sorry for your loss. From all of us hikers, thank you for sharing him with us and raising a son that was such a joy to be around.

Pam Tellew

September 29, 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. I never knew Tom but my son hiked with him on the PCT for about 1000 miles. I was so grateful to know that my son was with Flying Fish when it started snowing in the Sierras because I knew he was with someone who knew how to stay safe in snowy mountain conditions. I know Tom was also a true friend to my son and that my son had looked forward to hiking with him again someday. Please know that Tom's fine spirit touched even people like me who didn't actually know him. My heart aches for his family and friends.

September 27, 2015

I can't believe it, he was such a warm and wonderful person. I met him on the PCT this year, his competence and strength as a hiker and as a person was inspiring to so so many of us on the trail. I only had the pleasure of hiking with him for a couple days but he was the sort of person who shined so bright that no one who met him could forget him, and I never will.
My condolences to his family, I am truly sorry for your loss and your pain.
The hiking community has lost one of it's best and he will never be replaced.
-Ryan "Whiskers" Short

john Beehler

September 25, 2015

My heart bleeds for the Troutner family....no sense can be made of this. I last saw Art, Carol and Tom at the Boise Art Festival two years ago...all of them vibrant, full of life and gracious.
Having witnessed the love, care and devotion with which Art and Carol raised their three children...a child could not have had a better beginning in a better place. All three flourished into vibrant and happy people.
I extend my love and sincere empathy to you all......I would only be honored to lend a hand in anything I can help with. Perhaps a collective group needs to finish the PCT for Tom...I love the "Flying Fish" moniker.
Nature is the only healing agent I know.....a mere suggestion.
Much love to all of you!!! John

Flying Fish, August 16, 2011

Meridith Rosendahl

September 25, 2015

Tom, whom we knew as Flying Fish, stayed with us the night of August 16, 2011, at the half way point on the Pacific Crest Trail. He was a delightful young man, strong, polite and a wonderful guest. We would have been glad to have him stay longer, but the PCT called. We took him back to the trail after breakfast on August 17.

Our hearts are heavy when we think of the sadness his family must be feeling. We know you will miss him terribly and we are so terribly sorry.

Meridith and Lowell Rosendahl
aka Piper's Mom, PCT trail angel

Denise and Pete Amell

September 25, 2015

Art, Carol, Kelsey, and Tegan,
We are so sorry for your loss. Remembering Tom -- humorous, kind, and loving to run! We are sending our loving thoughts of comfort to you all. Love to you all

Scott Stevenson

September 25, 2015

Im so sorry to hear of your loss. I wish I could be there to personally convey my condolences. I cant imagine the grief one must suffer in the loss of a son, my heart goes out to you all.

Gail Verschoor

September 25, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you come to grips with your loss. There are no words but know that it not only takes a community to raise a child, but that community is also there when it's time to say farewell and lend support when it's needed. Tom has left on another adventure unexpected and way to soon . . . he will be missed.

Margaret Hillhouse

September 24, 2015

We are so sorry to hear of Tom's death. I often think of him in our early days of MNST when he was one of the big kids. Scott was so excited as a 6 y.o. when he was partnered with Tom for a relay race. More recently, we would see him at ski races, always a friend. My deepest condolences to all.
Margaret, Steve, Caitlin, Scott

Alex Tiberi

September 24, 2015

Please accept my condolences to the Troutner family. Although I only met Tom once, his thirst for life and all of its adventures were quite apparent. I am so sorry for your loss.

September 24, 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this sad time- sending lots of love and light. Ginnell Hellhake

Martin Isaksson

September 24, 2015

I will truly miss our friendship Tom. I will never forget all those times you visited me in Sweden, all the fun we had and all the memorable moments. I remember in the summer of 2013, we sitting on the roof of an high building in Umeå, Sweden, admiring the view and discussing life. I will never forget you Tom, my dear friend.

Sheila Fritz

September 24, 2015

Dearest Art, Carol, Kelsey and Teagan,
I cannot find the words, but we are so sorry about Tom. What a life he lived, but so short. We all send hugs and much love to you all.

Sheila, Iñaki, Miren and Jon

Rick Kapala

September 23, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was such a kind soul and he always found time to say hello and offer good thoughts whenever our paths crossed. He was well respected for his work in skiing but more importantly we was cherised for his thoughtful and caring spirit.

Marie Clay

September 23, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers.

September 23, 2015

A fine young man We are sadend by his passing. We were very happy to have gotten to spend time with him. Thank you for having such a wonderful son and brother.
with love to all of you Tim And Lynne Nic Hailey

John Gebhards

September 23, 2015

I'm so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He reminded me so much of Kathy, full of life, spirit for adventure and always a friend. He had much to share and I had hoped that one day he would bring some of those teachings back to McCall and enlighten us all. He will be missed by all.

September 23, 2015

Art, Carol, Kelsey and Teagan - My most heartfelt love to each of you in this deep time of sadness. He was a gift to this earth and all who knew him. I am so sorry for you loss. Uma

September 23, 2015

I am so very sorry to hear this. Dolores Totorica

September 23, 2015

Carol, Art - The Kwader family is so sorry for your loss.

Joel Lynn Boyce

September 23, 2015

To Art and Carol,

I grieve with you. I saw Tom at times during his childhood and manhood. He was a unique wonderful man. He was a product of the mountain, forest, and hiking traditions of you and Kathy. Sending my love and condolences.

Joel Boyce Sr.

Ellen Blakeslee

September 23, 2015

Dear Carol and Art
I'm so sorry for your loss. I met your Tom at Earnie's house. Sitting around the table on the patio, he told one interesting story after another. Earnie was so excited that Tom was able to work at the Olympics. He kept a picture of Tom & the team on his refrigerator. I'm thinking of you today.
Ellen Blakeslee

Sarah Montgomery-Yetman

September 23, 2015

My son was inspired to hike the PCT due to something that he saw from your son in a video. When he got on the trail this year, pure kismet enabled him to run into your son. "Flying Fish" taught him the ropes and hiked with my son for hundreds of miles. He showed him how to hike, pack his bag, where to get his packages, and how to survive. If is wasn't for "Flying Fish" my son "Box" would never have finished his journey or found the love of hiking. It truly saved my son's life. We are mourning with you, as your son was a great man and mentor.

Peter Viehoever

September 23, 2015

That's terrible news. I'm so sorry to hear about this. I don't know what to say. I'm sending my best thoughts and hopes to all who remain.

John Lee

September 23, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss. Tom and I met in college, and he was a great friend. He possessed a rare abundance of kindness, a trait that I value most in a human beings. I will never forget him.

Mary Friedrich

September 23, 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss which must be excruciating. He seemed to be an exceptional young man and I enjoyed reading about his life. Thank you for sharing, it will be with me for a long time.

Erik (IC) Baily

September 23, 2015

Thomas, or as I knew him by his trail name Flying Fish, was such a kind person. I met him as we both climbed to the top of Forester pass in a snow storm. He helped me reach the top and find our way down through the white-out on the other side.
From then on I was happy to count him as a friend as we walked through sierra. He was one of the strongest hikers I know, but more importantly one of the most generous companions for which you could hope.
I am saddened by his death, and his family and friends are in my thoughts.

Joshua Sallee

September 23, 2015

I was Tom's roommate at CU in the dorms. Tom and I had so many fun times, and I felt like we really connected and were good friends by the end of the school year. I taught him to play ice hockey and we played on a team together. I bought him his first hockey stick! He scored a few goals that year as I remember. Tom will always be one of my favorite people. He was a cool guy and one of the best friends I have ever had.

Carolyn Senty

September 22, 2015

So very sorry to learn of this sadness. My deepest sympathy to you, Art and Carol. I didn't know your son, but it sounds like he had an extraordinary life, though much too short. Thinking of you. Hugs from Wisconsin to you.

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