Those of us who live in Montana are fortunate people.
Those of us who know good people, good men and good women, are lucky.
Those of us who know great people, great women and great men, are very lucky.
Tom Pick was a great man. All of us here today are very lucky to have known him.
Tom was able to combine two values that are cherished by the vast, vast majority of the seven billion people currently on Earth. I'm sure that the 100 billion people who lived before us on this planet also valued peace and nature, for both are key to our survival.
Tom took those two values - peace and nature - and created a seamless delivery to thousands of people. He could talk to anyone. He knew many things. His quick smile and quiet demeanor would not let barriers arise. He knew what to say and when to say it. He's one of the few humans I know that actually mastered savior faire.
How else do you explain his many decades of devotion to the soil and water of our nation, the two parts of nature upon which all others flow?
How else do you explain him taking peace and nature to a war torn country, giving part of his life, to help others in a great time of need?
We lost a great man, this Tom Pick. His impact upon Montana will remain for generations. We are fortunate, and we are very lucky to have been here when Tom Pick was here.
Jeffrey Tiberi
Policy Director
Montana Association of Conservation Districts