Tom Duffy Helping Hearts Legacy
Meet Tom Duffy
Passion, Purpose, and Family
A Legacy of Service & Strength
Tom Duffy gave his life in a helicopter crash while fighting fires in Oregon on August 24, 2020. He was 40 years old and died a hero.
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for another.”
John 15:13
Growing Up in Bozeman
Anyone who knew Tom knew he was larger than life, both in stature ( 6’10”) and in everything he did. When God opened a door, Tom didn’t walk; he ran. Tom was born and raised in Bozeman, MT. He attended Mount Ellis Elementary, Mount Ellis Academy and then played basketball for the Bobcats at Montana State University. As a sophomore, Tom led the Big Sky Conference in blocked shots and the team in 3-point field goal percentage. He did this while missing half the conference games because, as a Seventh-day Adventist, Tom observed the Sabbath from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. Through that entire time, he kept God by his side and let Him lead wherever he needed to go. Tom was big, but God is bigger.
A Heart of Kindness
Tom was easy to like with his big smile and infectious laugh. It was not uncommon to see Tom on the phone working through an employee’s personal life issue or talking to a new friend whom he met while working on his never-ending projects.
Building Dreams & Creating Community
His dreams and aspirations were as big as he was. He built Excel Drilling from the ground up and made it not only into a successful business, but created another family of employees with relationships that will last a lifetime. He bought the Bozeman Hot Springs with dreams and an action plan already in place. The outside oasis at the Hot Springs is the realization of his dream because of his endless research, passion, grit, and drive to make a dream reality.
Family First
Even before all that, his family and friends were his world. His greatest accomplishment was being a father to his three beautiful children. His wife, Robyn, worked by his side for 18 years in every adventure he went on. For someone who didn’t like to talk, Tom never shied away from being there for his friends who became his brothers and sisters.
Shop Tom Duffy’s Photography
Shop to Support Our Mission
Explore our collection of Tom Duffy’s photography, available for purchase. Each piece is a testament to his passion and a way to support our mission. All net proceeds go directly to our projects, making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
