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Kevin Tomisek
 Kevin Christopher Tomisek’s bright smile and sense of humor were the kind that could cheer up someone having a down day. Deeply spiritual, he knew God was the Master of his destiny. At work at Murfreesboro’s Middle Tennessee Medical Center where he was a phlebotomist, the twenty-one year old always made time to listen to the patient who was scared or in pain. His supervisor remembers that, “especially for his age, he was unusually concerned and caring. He went the extra mile, totally dedicated to patients and to his job.”
On April 3, 2003, Kevin joined friends to celebrate the upcoming marriage of a co-worker. The bride-to-be, Carla, had never ridden a motorcycle and asked him to take her for a short ride. At her coaxing, Kevin agreed. They told companions they would be back in twenty minutes or less. They never returned. A passerby spotted them lying beside the road and called 911. It was too late. Even though both wore helmets, they were pronounced dead at the scene from head and neck trauma. With no witnesses to their accident, it is unclear why Kevin, an experienced and safe rider, lost control of the cycle. Police speculate that his inexperienced rider may not have shifted properly in the curve or that he swerved to miss a car or animal. There are no answers.
“Kevin was adamant about using safety equipment when driving or participating in a sport,” says his mother, Nora Tomisek. “He once told me he was thrown out of a college class for arguing with a teacher who said seatbelt and helmet laws were infringements of personal freedom. He stood up in class to disagree, using the story of Michael Appleby and MAKUS as an example. At work, he had seen the results of accidents where seatbelts were not used. He knew their effect on victims and families.”
“As the weather warms, you see more motorcycles on the highways, often with inexperienced drivers and passengers,” she continues. “We need mandatory training and education for motorcyclists and their passengers. As with cars, you now need only basic skills to pass the licensing test. And that’s not enough.”
In April 2003, Kevin was finishing Emergency Medical Technician training and about to sit for his exam. He had already volunteered many hours at the Rutherford County Volunteer Rescue Station. His supervisor there stated that, at the young man’s initial interview, when asked why he wanted to volunteer, Kevin simply said, “I need to help others.” In July 2003, the State of Tennessee paid tribute to Kevin and his dedication to that mission. Retired EMT #799 -- Kevin’s number – is now memorialized on a plaque at the Rescue Station, mounted in honor of his life saving and rescue work.
 This painting of Kevin was done after his death by his sister, Kathryn. Her inspiration for the background of dogwood blossoms was a legend that attributes the dogwood as the tree whose wood was used for the cross of Christ. According to the story, after the Crucifixion, God make the dogwood a small tree so that its wood could never again be used to build a cross. He also gave it blossoms with markings that resemble the shape of Jesus’ cross and the wounds that recall his sacrifice for the world. Kathryn says, “Kevin’s life was small – at least his time on earth was. Like the dogwood, however, he will always be here to remind us of the good work he accomplished while he was among us.”
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