Community-minded leader Tom Lincoln dies at age 59

Former Clear Lake City Administrator Tom Lincoln, who devoted much of his life to community service, died Saturday, Oct. 13, at home following an illness.
Lincoln, who was honored in July as Marshal of Clear Lake’s Fourth of July parade, was an integral part of successfully growing Clear Lake. His 29 years in the community included service as comptroller, city administrator, firefighter, sanitary district trustee and business owner.
“Integrity. Honesty. Those are what qualities come to mind when I think of Tom Lincoln,” said Matt Miller, who first met Lincoln when giving him an application to serve as a volunteer firefighter. Their friendship spanned more than 30 years and included many laughs and tears.
“He always did things the right way-- hard or not-- and had high moral standards. I never met anybody more honest. He helped so many people through the years. He would drop everything for a friend and was a great listener,” said Miller.
Among the many happy times Miller recalled with his friend was one fire training activity the department held at State Park. Miller said fellow firefighter Rob Bell had sprayed him with a hose, then darted away.
“I turned the hose on him and literally took his feet out from under him. He went rolling along like a ball,” said Miller. Lincoln, a newcomer to the department at that time, snatched the hose from Miller, surprised to see him turning on a fellow firefighter.
“Ever since then he kind of became my guardian angel and protector,” laughed Bell, thinking back. “He liked to fight interior fires, like I do. And he was good at it.”
As he anxiously awaited the July 4 festivities, Lincoln reflected on his career in government.
“I was city administrator when the City Council chose a new slogan for the community-- ‘Where People Make the Difference.’ I thought it was perfect because I have always been impressed by how well this town works together. Different sectors come together to promote Clear Lake-- government, schools, churches, businesses, private citizens, civic groups. When you see a whole community working together, it’s really exciting.”
Quietly and systematically, Lincoln brought Clear Lake, and its unique issues, to the forefront for action as city administrator. Working with a variety of mayors and City Council members, Lincoln made sure the City of Clear Lake made preservation of the lake a high priority. He also changed the city’s accounting system, brought the city into the computer age and improved fiscal management. His other accomplishment while in office included initiating the city’s purchase of the former Unisys building now owned by Kingland System Corporation and formulating a plan for city growth through annexation.
Lincoln retired from service to the city in 2001, but remained active in the community through a variety of ways. After leasing the Barrel Drive-In in 1998, he and his wife, Deb, purchased the business in 1999.
Seth Thackery said he was fortunate to meet Tom Lincoln as an employee of the Barrel. He briefly left the business, but returned and eventually leased the landmark restaurant from the Lincolns.
“He was a mentor for me and was like a second father,” said Thackery. “He taught me more about business than I could ever learn anywhere else. I loved working with him.”
In recent years Lincoln stepped in as the local Economic Development Corporation leader when David Collins announced he was leaving the post last year to move to Minnesota. He helped the organization from June to October 2006, responding to inquiries and following up on business prospects. He also was serving as an elected trustee of the Clear Lake Sanitary District.

A memorial service will be held today (Wednesday, Oct. 17) for Tom Lincoln.