In Memoriam: Tom Reeves
Tom Reeves (center standing) surrounded by devoted followers at Tyler Arboretum in October 2008. (Photo by Sarah Boucas-Neto)
Tom with his face painted while attending the Birding Club of Delaware County picnic in 2023. (Photo by Margaret Bue)
On December 24th, 2024, the Tyler Arboretum community and birders everywhere lost a good friend, Tom Reeves. Tom was 93 years old.
Tom began volunteering as a guide at Tyler Arboretum in 1980 and led bird walks at Tyler for more than 35 years. Tom’s enthusiasm, knowledge and kindness earned him a large and devoted following on those walks. Even after he stopped serving as a leader, he continued to participate in the weekly bird walks whenever he could.
Tom’s ties to Tyler Arboretum go even farther back than 1980. He was very active in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He subsequently served as a scout leader and was awarded scouting’s distinguished service award. A fellow birder recalls Tom telling him that in the 1950s, he participated in Boy Scout campouts in what is now the Meadow Maze at Tyler.
But Tom was not just a birder. He was an all around naturalist. Tom’s obituary states he “completed the Barnes Arboretum Horticulture Program and shared his extensive knowledge of birds, trees, flowers, and mammals with students at various local schools and colleges.” He was proud to be called a naturalist. He even adopted “naturalist” as his email username and it was well deserved.
Tom was the leader of the first organized bird walk in which I participated. It was in 1982 at what was then called Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge. On that walk, Tom spotted a large bird high atop a distant tree that he identified as a Rough-legged Hawk, a rare visitor to our area. As a neophyte birder I was both impressed with Tom’s skill and inspired to up my game. I am far from alone. Many birders have similar stories of inspiration gained from Tom.
Tom was not just a skilled naturalist. He was a genuinely kind human being. Kindness and gentleness are frequently mentioned words in the reminiscences that are circulating among local birders. One birder recalls a conversation with Tom about life’s personal setbacks. The lesson learned was: “When life gives you lemons, the way to deal with it is to go birding with friends.”
Thank you, Tom.
An undated photo of Tom, camera in hand, inspecting a shrub.
Call for Donations in Honor of Tom Reeves
Tom’s friends from the Tyler Arboretum community and The Birding Club of Delaware County are raising funds to place a memorial bench for Tom in the arboretum. Please mark your donations for the Tom Reeves Memorial Bench and send via your chosen method.
To give by mail: Mail your donation as a check made payable to “Tyler Arboretum” with a note enclosed about the Tom Reeves Memorial Bench to Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063.
To give by phone: Call Director of Development Sarah Thompson at 610-566-9134, ext. 206, Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To give online: Please include “Tom Reeves Memorial Bench” in the “Comments” section after clicking here to donate.
Tom Reeves attending a Tyler Arboretum reception.
