U.S. Forest service volunteer killed in Afghanistan

Tom Stefani, 28, who grew up in Meadow Vista, was killed Oct. 4 while on a volunteer mission with the U.S. Forest Service in the Ghazni Province of Afghanistan. His family says thousands of Afghani citizens will mourn his death.Tom Stefani was doing what he loved to do, helping others, which makes his untimely death in the Middle East easier for his family to digest.

Stefani, 28, was on a volunteer mission with the U.S. Forest Service when he was killed in an explosion on Oct. 4 that impacted his convoy near Ghazni, Afghanistan.

The Meadow Vista man was described Monday by his parents as the type of person to leave no job undone.

"He was the leader," said his father Steve Stefani. "If he started something, he'd be the one to help finish it. That was how he was with everything in his life."

Stefani was developing and implementing projects to help the people of the Ghazni Province. He had been serving a voluntary nine-month detail as a Foreign Agricultural Service adviser.

He was a three-year Forest Service employee with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

"Tom was doing what he really wanted to do," Steve Stefani said. "That makes it easier. He loved his job."

Stefani, who was home schooled, is a Maidu High school alumnus. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Reno and was working on his master's degree.

"I sent all his research material to Afghanistan," said his mother, Barbara Stefani. "He wanted to get his thesis finished."

Stefani was scheduled for leave to visit his family on Thanksgiving. However, he told his superior that there was much work to be done and he didn't feel comfortable taking time off, his family said. "He was supposed to take leave, but felt he'd be wasting time," Barbara Stefani said. "The projects he was working on are important to help the country to sustain themselves." Stefani worked his way up to Eagle Scout and also was an avid member of 4-H as a teenager.

"Tom was the brown-haired kid, who knew how to work hard and proudly showed his prize sheep," wrote Leslie Warren in a letter to the editor. "He was the kid with the big cowboy boots and hat and that sweet sideways, shy smile."

Chuck Conner, U.S. Department of Agriculture acting secretary, said in a written statement that Stefani's work overseas was significant.

Last month Tom proudly reported that construction had begun on a cold storage facility for farmers to store their commodities, which would enable them to preserve and sell the products," he said. "Tom's contributions will have a real and lasting impact on the people and agricultural economy of Afghanistan."

Conner and Stefani's family have a common message to share.

"I call on all Americans to reflect on the great sacrifices being made by brave men and women, including those in uniform and civilian volunteers, to protect our freedom," Conner said.

Stefani's parents said they will "deeply miss" their son, but also want the public to consider why he sacrificed his life.

"Our country is looking at a total negativity of this war. All we see is the bad and the bodies," Steve Stefani said. "Tom's an American and the people loved him over there - you don't see that side."

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 11600 Atwood Road, in Auburn. A reception will follow.

Story at: Colfaxrecord.com