Dedicated to Tom Kinnebrew

Tom (Chip) Kinnebrew was a devoted rider, who tragically died in April 2007 on Brasstown Bald Mountain during the Tour De Georgia . He was the CEO of the Helena Regional Medical center in Helena and a community leader. Tom was not only a bicycle enthusiast, but was a vigorous promoter of bicycling for recreation and health. The Tour Da Delta was a dream of Tom’s, as a means of stimulating interest and active participation in bicycling in the Eastern Region of Arkansas. Before he passed away, he had laid out a detailed plan for the Tour, which is the basis for this event. The response of the community to this event is not only a strong testimony to the plan he conceived, but also to his success in spreading the word to the community as to the merits of bicycling for all those involved.

About Tom

Tom (Chip) Kinnebrew was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 26th, 1953. He always considered himself a “Florida Boy” loving the warmth and sunshine of the “sunshine state.” Tom was destined to be surrounded by women since he was born the middle of two sisters. He attended Florida State University and graduated with a degree in Nursing. Shortly after both their graduations, he married his wife Ann whom he dated since high school. They were best friends for twenty -eight years.

Tom had many different careers before settling on Health Care Administration. He worked for his father, Tom Kinnebrew, Jr., in his automobile dealership as manager of several departments. It was there that both the business world and German Import cars caught his attention. He then worked for the State of Florida in the AIDS education program, but finally decided to work towards his Masters Degrees in Business Administration and Health Care Administration at the University of Florida. Tom would want it known, however, that he was always a Seminole at heart.

During those years, Tom and Ann had four beautiful daughters; Abby, Gwen, Alison and Kelsey. Thus began his immersion into the female world. It was during this time that Tom took up bike riding, probably for self-preservation as well as recreation.

Health Administration took the family to many different areas around the South. During that time, he made his mark in rural hospitals and communities. He was always a novelty as many saw him in his riding gear exploring the back roads. He knew the beautiful mountains of the Blue Ridge, the big sky and flats of Arkansas and Mississippi and the steamy, rolling hills of North Florida. Bike riding was more than a hobby for Tom, it was truly a re-creation. It energized him, cleared his head and gave him time to enjoy his natural surroundings. It was on the bike that he was free. He is free now, in Heaven most assuredly flying through those hills with perfect weather all the way.

Abby and Gwen will both ride in the Tour Da Delta this year in honor of their Dad. Ann, Alison and Kelsey will be among the first to cheer all the riders on.