A man known as “Skypunk” for his hobby of leaping off Cincinnati buildings died Thursday after jumping from a 1,684-foot television tower in Orange County, Fla.

        Tim Lee Werling II, 30, formerly of Norwood, was found dead in the parachuting accident Thursday morning, an Orange County sheriff's spokesman said. His parachute had deployed, but investigators have not determined if there was a malfunction.

        “If he was going to die, that was the way he would want to go,” said his father, Timothy Werling Sr. of West Chester Township.

Tim Werling, wrapped in his parachute, in a February photo. (Joseph Fuqua II photo) | ZOOM |

        It was foggy when his son jumped, and apparently he didn't realize how close he had soared to the ground and may have opened his parachute too late, his father said.

        Mr. Werling was a former world champion in the sport of Building Antenna Structure Earth (BASE) jumping. BASE jumpers hurl themselves off structures such as skyscrapers and bridges, or cliffs.

        He jumped off the Carew Tower at least three times between 1994 and 2000, and was twice arrested when authorities caught him. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanors and paid fines after promising never to do it again.

        “He was a very unique person,” said his mother, Juanita Werling. “Sky diving was what he was born to do. He was more bird than human in his heart. His spirit soared.”

        Sky diving was his passion, his father said, and he just couldn't stop. He recently achieved a longtime goal by earning his teaching certification and moved earlier this year to DeLand, Fla., to teach sky diving. “When you are extremely good at something and people know you are, it makes you feel good,” Mr. Werling said. “It's hard to think of jumping off something like that or jumping out of an airplane, but that's what he loved.”

        The Deer Park High School graduate had discussed with his parents the possibility of being hurt or dying while jumping. He lost several friends who died while participating in the sport, his mother said.

        He also had some close calls. The last time he jumped off the Carew Tower, Sept. 1, 2000, he caught his chute on a ledge of the Omni Netherland, a shorter building just west of the Carew Tower. He was able to scramble to a ledge, and was rescued by police through a window.

        Despite the risk, he remained committed to doing what he loved best, his parents said, and they supported him. “He knew the dangers of it more than I did,” his father said. “It's something you always know is a possibility. You just hope it never happens. He has been doing it too long. He knew the dangers, but that didn't outweigh his love of it.”

        His mother said she will remember her son for his talent to relate to all walks of life and make everyone feel comfortable. “He wasn't just a sky-diving bum,” she said. “He taught me that even though people aren't exactly like you, they still are wonderful people and look for the best in everyone. It is such a valuable lesson, especially in our city and our times.”

        In addition to his parents, Mr. Werling leaves a brother, Edward, 28, who is stationed in Italy with the Air Force.

        When authorities release his body, his parents say they plan to have him cremated in Florida and bring his remains to Naegele Kleb Ihlendorf Funeral Home in Norwood.

        They aren't sure yet what they will do with his ashes, but his mother said they are considering scattering them from an airplane or tall building or similar spot.

        “That does seem kind of poetic, doesn't it?” his mother said. “He would have loved that. He once said he would like us to raise a glass of beer, celebrate his life and then get on with ours.”

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