For a time, Tom was also a car salesman in Virginia MN. I bought my first new pickup truck from him. He lived in my area (Cook, MN.) for quite a few years while operating the Beatty rail portage. His brother-in-law Jim Haryn, also operated the portage. Jim was a gruff, twenty year marine man that some may recall, if they've been across the portage.
Tom is still in the area. At least he is still listed in the phone book.
There are plenty of these people in the area that were outfitters, guides, bush pilots etc. that can tell the stories that we would love to be telling.