Since the passing of Tom Wangler Sr. just over one month ago, I, like Mom, have been hearing his voice and picturing his face nearly every day. Not surprisingly, his death has given me pause to reflect on a lot of things from years back, many of which — in a most unexpected way — have served as the impetus to get this project off the ground, once and for all. Perhaps it was precisely because I could not attend his memorial that I felt a desire to do something: to find a way to honor this man who inspired so many more people than perhaps he (or his family) ever knew.

After speaking with Mom, Dad, Todd and Grant, I came away with all the material I needed to splice together this first piece. During the hours of editing, what stood out foremost was the ready laughter that Tom’s memory still evokes in us all. Though I’ll never get the chance to let Mr. Wangler know personally just how much he meant to me, these stories are, in their own small way, a message to the rest of the world that this man mattered — that his memory will be kept dear.

Length: 44:11 / File size: 60.8 MB / Format: MP3 192 kbps

Chapters
1. Opening Remarks
2. Certified Air Balancer
3. Scout Beginnings
4. Webelos’ Outfits
5. “I only think big”
6. Fundraising
7. Wangler Provisions
8. Boundary Waters
9. Getting Riled-up
10. “We could have been killed by that bear”
11. Mr. Purl’s Welding Truck
12. Good Friends
13. Punk Scout Troop
14. Citizen Wangler
15. The Wangler House
16. New Years
17. “Mrs. Wangler”
18. Love/Hate
19. Bear Down, Chicago Bears
20. Last Request
21. Big, Big Heart

Music credits
Daniel Lanios “Todos Santos”
The Waterboys “When Ye Go Away”
Thomas Newman “Dead Already”
The Oak Ridge Boys “Elvira”
Peter Gabriel “Big Time”
Solitudes “Thunderstorm in the Wilderness”
Robin Trower “Bluebird”
Willie Nelson “Blue Skies”
Paul McCartney and Wings “With a Little Luck”
Randy Newman “I’m Different”
Michael Jackson “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
Chicago Bears “Super Bowl Shuffle”
George Harrison “All Things Must Pass”