Horcher rescued swimmers, remembered as hero

LIHU‘E — The 36-year-old hero, Thomas John “Tommy” Horcher, risked his life to save two distressed swimmers out by Marine Camp behind Wailua Golf Course Saturday afternoon, died Monday at Wilcox Medical Center, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.

Horcher’s family has a message for the swimmers he saved.

“We just want them to know that, yes, he lost this life for them,” said Ashley O’Malley, one of Horcher’s younger sisters. “So they better live their life to the fullest in the honor of Tommy, and we are not mad at them or anything. We can’t change it. We are frustrated by these circumstances, of course. But we know it’s not their fault. And things happen, but we just want them to know to take life as a gift because it was given to them.”

O’Malley said everyone has their path in life, and maybe her brother was put on this earth to save these people.

“He lived his life to the fullest,” O’Malley said. “But he’d always say you’ll come out of it and be stronger and just be like the adventures man. He survived everything, and it was just like I just said, there must be a reason why he’s so strong to get to the point where he came to because he was here to maybe save these two people.”

Horcher’s family said he was the type of man who would go out of his way to help someone in need.

Don Horcher, Thomas’s father, said he was his best friend.

“I saw him at 12 o’clock that day. He was at the house,” Don Horcher said. “And he asked me like he always does — ‘Anything you need?’ And I said, ‘No.’ Somehow I was working in the garage. He said ‘You need any help’? I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Well we’re going to go out to the beach and have a little barbecue.’ I said, ‘OK, be safe and have fun.’ And he said, ‘I’ll stop by on the way home.’ And that was the last time I talked to him.”

Thomas Horcher’s personality, according to his father, came naturally from the line of work he does. Thomas owned the activity business All Island Adventures, which he started right before the pandemic.

“He’s been in the activity business, selling activities, which is helicopter rides, and he helps tourists,” Don Horcher said. “That’s all he does. He just went back to get in his business trying to get it started again, like two weeks ago.”

Thomas Horcher moved from California 12 years ago, and quickly adapted to Kaua‘i’s aloha culture and ‘aina. His family said his tag on social media would always be “Just another day in paradise.”

“He was just the most giving, and he just conscientious person about other people’s feelings,” said mother Janey Smith. “He never put himself first. It was always about what they were going through or how their day was, or just joining in their joy. He was just the most selfless person. He just really was the funniest person I’ve ever known in my whole entire life.”

Thomas Horcher was the one who walked her down the aisle at her wedding in California six years ago.

“I’ve been a part of this beautiful man’s life for quite a long time,” said Sharon Zehner, Don Horcher’s partner. “I think the only thing I can say is his soul was always the kindest, a loving spirit. He was always the man that was inclusive to anyone. There is never a judgment. It was always that loving — bring somebody along, and I’m going to take you with me to the highest and the best. Everything was always just ‘how can I make you feel great?’”

Steve Smith, Thomas Horcher’s stepdad, said when he thinks of his stepson’s last acts, he thinks of bravery, selflessness, courage and love for humanity.

Thomas Horcher’s younger sister Caity Bailey said she echoes what everyone else before her said about her older brother.

“Just like what Steve and Sharon said, he was always inclusive, and he never made me feel like I was his half-sister,” Bailey said. “As he was big brother, he gave so much life lessons and could always make you laugh while doing it. Then you sit down and you realize all that advice. He just builds so much confidence because he has so much love.”

Celebrations of Thomas Horcher’s life will be held on Kaua‘i in August and in California in September, Don Horcher said.

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Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.