Storm Chasing refers to closely witnessing tornadoes, hurricanes, or tropical cyclones and monitoring their size. Although it sounds like a weird hobby or thrilling activity, many people devote their whole life storm chasing. And one such individual was the late storm chaser, Tim Samaras.
The storm chaser developed his love for tornadoes during his childhood years. He continued his passion in his adult years and made it his career. Furthermore, Tim also starred in many television shows related to storm research. For instance, he starred in Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers alongside Tony Laubach, Reed Timmer, Sean Casey, and others.
Sadly this legendary figure had an untimely demise in 2013. If you want to find what happened, keep scrolling down this biography.
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Tim Samaras' Father Was An Army Veteran
The late meteorologist was born Timothy Michael Samaras on November 12, 1957, in Lakewood, Colorado, US. He came from a loving and supportive family.
Tim Samaras' late father, Paul T. Samaras, was a motion-picture projectionist for U.S. Army in World War II. After being discharged from the military, he began working as a photographer and vice president of Colorado-hobby merchandise distributorship. In addition, Paul made numerous model airplanes as a hobby.
Tim Samaras' late mother, Margaret Samaras, introduced him to The Wizard of Oz, through which he developed a love for tornadoes. Sadly she passed away in 1996.
Tim Samaras' late father, Paul T. Samaras, was an Army veteran and vice president of Colorado-hobby merchandise distributorship. Photo Source: Social Media.
The late storm chaser also has two brothers, Jim Samaras and Jack Samaras. Both were devastated by Tim's unexpected demise.
Speaking of Samaras' educational background, he attended Lasley Elementary and O'Connell Junior High. However, after graduating from Alameda International Junior/Senior High School, he didn't enroll in a college.
Tim Samaras Net Worth And Career
Though the late media personality didn't have a college degree, he self-learned everything about storm research. He began working as an amateur radio operator at age twelve and communicated by radio while chasing storms.
Likewise, Tim Samaras' net worth was heavily influenced by his storm-chasing career. He initially joined Denver Research Institute, where he tested explosive weapons systems. But he returned to storm research soon after.
The late tornado chaser got much recognition after his designed probe recorded a pressure drop of 100 millibars of EF4 Tornado in 2003. It was also recorded as the lowest barometer pressure drop in the Guinness World Records.
Afterward, Samaras assembled a crew of researchers under Tactical Weather Instrumented Sampling in Tornadoes EXperiment (TWISTEX). He captured several videos from inside the tornado and pressure data with his team.
Tim Samaras chased the storms and conducted researches with his team Tactical Weather Instrumented Sampling in Tornadoes EXperiment (TWISTEX). Photo Source: Social Media.
The engineer appeared in Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers from 2009 to 2012. He led many tornado expeditions and researches in the show. Aside from that, he also authored many scientific publications in his life.
Although the late television star pursued storm chasing due to his passion, he must have also earned a substantial income. As per Comparably, the storm chaser's average salary is $68,532. Therefore, Tim's salary might have been around that range.
Hence, Tim Samaras' net worth must have been a notable figure during his active years.
Tim Samaras Was Married And A Father Of Three
As storm chasers live a life full of risks and dangers, it might be hard for them to settle down. However, the late meteorologist had found the perfect partner who supported his passion for his career. And that was none other than Tim Samaras' wife, Kathy Samaras.
The pair didn't precisely reveal when they met. But as per Google search, they got married in 1981 and lived a happy life for years.
Tim Samaras' wife, Kathy, understood his life goal of contributing something to the world. So, she never stopped him from chasing his dream despite the risks involved.
Tim Samaras' wife, Kathy Samaras, supported his storm chasing passion from the beginning. Photo Source: Social Media.
The couple also welcomed three children. Their late son, Paul Samaras, was born on November 12, 1988, in Lakewood. In addition, he owned a certificate in animation and worked as a photographer and videographer for TWISTEX.
Tim Samaras' daughter, Amy Gregg, is married to her husband, George Gregg, and has two children, Jayden Gregg and Alyssa Gregg. Tim's other daughter, Jennifer Scott, is also wedded to her spouse, Brendan Scott.
The researcher learned about his son, Matt Winter, after a DNA test in 2006. He then welcomed Matt into his family happily, but only got to spend around six-year with his kid.
Tim Samaras' Tragic Ending
The researcher was chasing storms and conducting lightning research in 2013. His son, Paul, and TWISTEX team member, Carl Young, joined him in his journey.
Amidst their research, the trio was caught by the violent tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma. It packed winds of up to 165mph, picked their Chevrolet Cobalt, and threw it away half a mile. As a result, all passengers, including Samaras, died on May 31, 2013.
The case also became the first time where a storm chaser or meteorologist lost their lives while doing their job. Afterward, a memorial was set up in the area where the team was found by authority. But it was vandalized in 2016 by unknown people.
Tim Samaras, his son, Paul Samaras, and TWISTEX member, Carl Young, died while chasing tornado on May 31, 2013. Photo Source: Social Media.
Tim Samaras is survived by his spouse Kathy, son Matt, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. He began his storm chasing career to save others' lives but sadly lost his own. Still, others will forever remember his legacy and contribution to storm research.
Trivia And Facts
- Tim featured in Tornado Chasers, Inside, National Geographic Explorer, etc.
- He was proficient in Morse Code.
