Between my sophomore and junior year of college, back in 1978, I was a counselor for Sea Pines' Fun for Kids program, working with the 3 to 5 year olds. One of those kids was a towheaded little boy with a deep, serious voice as if he'd started the day with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a carton of Camel unfiltereds. His name was Matthew Doughtie. (It should be noted that Matthew always came to camp with the most delicious delicasies in his lunchbox - we counselors would do our best to bribe him out of choice selections with offerings of burnt hotdogs and soggy Oreos.) Matthew was usually dropped off by one parent and picked up by the other, so very early on I got to know Tim and gorgeous Betsy.

I was very interested in pursuing a career in advertising and approached Tim about the possibilities of an internship with his tiny shop, then perched above an architect's office just off Cordillo. He spent several thoughtful hours with me and gently told me that while he didn't have the need for a summer intern, two women had just opened an agency and he'd put in a call for me. Those women were Marsha Smelkinson and Karen Cerrati. And that internship started me on a 26-year career in advertising.

After I graduated, Tim once again pointed me towards a job opportunity, this time as a marketing assistant to Porter Thompson. And boy oh boy, did Tim and Uncle Potsy have fun with this wide-eyed and very naive girl!

While I never worked directly for Tim during those early years on Hilton Head, he never ceased being a mentor to me. Always with a generous compliment, an encouraging word, or a gentle ribbing. He showed me how to be a great boss, how to motivate people, how to never settle for less than the best. I adored him.

When I was deciding what my next career move should be, Tim very kindly showed me the door and convinced me that bigger things awaited me on the other side of the bridge. I'm now a freelance writer in New York, something I couldn't have achieved without Tim's guidance so many years ago.

I was recently talking to a dear friend, Terry Sagedy, and I was telling him how I felt I needed to write some "thank you" notes - to all those people who, whether they realized it or not, have had significant impacts on my life and the person I am today. Needless to say, Tim was very high on that list. Without Tim, I'd never know Karen Cerrati and her wonderful family - who I couldn't be closer to if we were sisters. I wouldn't know Kathleen Webster-Horsley, one of the most generous and gracious of souls. I wouldn't know Terry Sagedy or Eddie Snyder or Porter or Terry Plumb. And my life would definitely be poorer for it.

I was on Hilton Head the weekend Tim passed away, for the reunion of people who'd worked on the Island in the '70's. I'd sent him that "thank you" e-mail a few weeks before and gotten the most meaningful of responses. I felt blessed that Tim knew how important he was to me. While the time for visiting Tim had passed, I felt his presence very much that weekend - I think we all did. And to be a part of that cloud of love that surrounded Tim in his passing was indeed an honor.

I am inspired to keep Tim's legacy of generosity alive. Following his example, I've always taken time to talk to any fledgling advertising student. But now I want to find more ways to contribute to my community. He touched so many lives, let us continue in his footsteps.

Much love to Betsy, Matthew (sorry, you'll always be Matthew to me!), Collins, and Grace.