Lauran Intinarelli “The perfect Posture”

The first time I met Tad in the Tetons I was hooked. His laugh and personality was irresistable. He once taught me how to have the "perfect posture" Over extend, slouch, over extend slouch, over extend, relax. :Simple as that" he said. I think of Tad whenever I catch my self slouching and put his knowledge to use :)

Tad, I met you as a first year leader, and your kind heart and big smile made me feel welcome right away. Thank you for welcoming me to the Backroads family. You will be missed by everyone, we love you.

Jo Zulaica “finding humor in the mundane”

There was one time Tad was in the warehouse here in SLC...and we were in the kitchen, puttering around lunchtime. He asked me: "so, how old is your son now?"
Forgetting that only moms refer to age in months I said '19 months' before realizing that a Backroads man was very unlikely to connect with that sort of minutiae. But, of course, Tad had many talents.
"oh, so has he mastered alternate-step-stair-climbing, not step/pausing at each level?"
"...uh, yeah!" I said, surprised that he just nailed what Derrick was doing.
"and does he have the fine motor skill of pincher-grasp, not hand-sweep to pick up a small object?" said Tad.
"as a matter of fact, yes!" I said.
"and does he show linguistic competence, able to express himself in more than 2-word sentences?"...and this whole time he's got that trademark grin and head-nod while he's talking, that happy and amused look on his face...
When I just started laughing at this rapid fire interrogation worthy of some specialist doctor's office, he said 'sounds like he's doing just fine.'

Such an impressive guy, on so many levels. So many talents, so much ability. Thank you for sharing your good humor even by the fridge.

Joel Miller “My Tad Story”

Tad gave me a wonderful welcome to Backroads. I had just finished my training trip with Tony my first summer in the Tetons, and we were back at a surprisingly empty leaderhouse. I guess I was coming down off that first trip high, wondering what to do with myself and how this weird life of ours works. The two of us were in the kitchen, unloading our leftovers and reflecting on the trip. Tony was just commenting on how quiet the house was when the front door literally bursted open with a bang, and a dripping wet Tad comes falling in with a soaking case of beer hugged to his chest. After the loudest, happiest greeting I could imagine, the rest of the Tetons crew that summer fell in after Tad, coming up from the Snake river after an afternoon float. In a matter of seconds, that quiet kitchen was now the loud, happy center of a home. Before I could even process the change that had taken place, Tad was on the floor, still dripping wet, but now covered in chocolate cake as he showed us how much he really loved cake. Everyone in the room had to lean on each other we were laughing so hard.

It was a fitting welcome to our life...quiet times, loud times, tired times, and happy times. But most of all, hilarious times. There were many times when Tad had us laughing so hard we had to lean on each other for support. Just as we leaned on each other then, we need to lean on each other now as we remember an amazing person. I'll miss you Tad.

Mark Selcon “Man Voice”

Read with a "Manly" Voice

So…there I am. In the car. With Kitty Mckie D. Returning from my workout. Tired. But not too tired as I am very fit. So unfit (ahem fit) I am wallowing to Kitty about how tired I am. I am in pain.

And…like a sprinkle of Man dust, or in this case Man sweat, it hits me. My MAN VOICE, the deep, grunting, husky voice that I am using right now, RIGHT NOW, regaling Kitty about how fit I am, this deep and almost Bear Trapper slash Hero slash Tool Time slash Radio Guy voice, the one that has made me laugh repeatedly, is Tads.

I didn’t get it directly from Tad. And, admittedly, I do only a very substandard impression of the Man Voice, the version you might see after a second rate headliner on a very small stage, likely tucked away in the back of a parking lot marked Q or X. I got it from the much funnier than I, D-Dub-Squared, who I assume got it from Tony P, who bows to Nate Appy’s version, who got it from Tad.

I never had more than 5 minutes with Tad. Though; his contagious humor and grace, has positively affected me and the many others he has (or even has not) met. From the Tetons to Croatia Tad leaves a lasting impression spreading laughter through many. That is manly!