Randy Poole Memorial Fund
TYPE OF FUND:  Field of Interest             DATE ESTABLISHED:  October 2016                 PURPOSE:  To provide funding for emergency medical training for Tucker County.DISTRIBUTION:  The proceeds of this fund are to be used to aid with the cost of training opportunities for emergency medical services personnel in Tucker County upon the recommendation by the Grants or Scholarship Committee and approval by the full Board of Directors of TCF.

VARIANCE POWER:  If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.

FUNDING:  Memorial donations from Timberline Ski Patrol, friends and family. 

 BACKGROUND:  Robert Andrew Poole was born on March 3, 1953.  He graduated from Georgia Southern in 1975 and moved to St Albans, WV to work for C&P Telephone Company. In 1997 he transferred to Ashburn, Virginia when C&P telephone was acquired by Verizon. He was a lifelong employee of the phone company as a contract officer.

Randy joined National Ski Patrol (NSP) in 1992. Randy loved NSP and was very active with Timberline Ski Patrol from 1992-2009. He served as patrol Treasurer for many years and as an Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Instructor for patrol candidates.  He also provided annual refresher training for active members.  He led many fundraiser events for the patrol over the years, supporting OEC and ski/ toboggan training, continuing education, and Special Olympics.  Randy dedicated himself to teaching others proper emergency care skills. He was an excellent instructor and loved to share his passion for helping others anytime he was needed. 

Known as “Tin Man” on the mountain radio…and informally to all patrollers…the name reflected Randy’s amazing recovery from open heart surgery. “Tin Man” was well known for his amazing dedication to life; he did not take the second chance he was offered for granted – not at all.

Randy married Holly Horne in 2007 and adopted her daughter, Amber Mason Horne who was four years old at the time.  He also had three grown daughters: Tara, Sally Ann, and Katlin. His love for all was boundless.

Randy had a keen sense of humor and could diffuse any situation with his perfectly timed jokes. He had the ability to see the good in everyone and was deeply committed to community support in his neighborhood.

Randy loved Canaan Valley and the people who live there; essentially, a de facto second home.  He always wanted to give back to its citizens. As a patroller, he organized clothing drives in partnership with local churches.  As a longtime resident of West Virginia, Randy had worked through his church to help many.

Randy was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and a longtime member of St David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia. He led numerous church committees and mission trips across the U.S. to assist disadvantaged communities.

He loved to write short, and often extremely amusing, stories.  Later in life he enrolled in many writing clinics and impressed all. A few favorite expressions underpin Randy’s approach to life.  “Life is a journey.  Roll down the window and enjoy the breeze.”  Perhaps even more memorable, “It’s a beautiful thing.”  That sums it up very well.

Randy Poole died July 4, 2009 at the age of 56. He is survived by his wife Holly, four daughters, and granddaughter Caroline.