A Florida hospitality manager drowned as he tried to save a seagull he hooked while fishing in the Florida Panhandle — as loved ones remembered him as a “wonderful husband and father.”
William “Stone” Romberg was fishing into Phillips Inlet in Panama City Beach, Florida, when his cast accidentally caught the bird Sunday afternoon, according to his employer and a GoFundMe set up for his family.
“Stone tragically lost his life while fishing at the beach and attempting to help a bird caught in his fishing line. His kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him, and he will be deeply missed,” wrote La Dolce Vita.
The 31-year-old married father of two was with friends near the Pinnacle Port Condominiums when he swam out to the trapped bird.
While attempting to rescue the bird, Romberg’s hand got caught on the bird and the hook as he tried to untangle the lure from the animal.
Romberg tried to swim back to shore, but the current carried him further out, and he ultimately drowned, fundraiser creator Heidi Fortner wrote.
The Atlanta, Ga., native leaves behind his wife Taylor and their two young daughters, ages 1 and 3.
The family had just celebrated their youngest daughter’s first birthday, two weeks before the drowning.
Romberg was remembered for being a terrific father and husband, who was known by a lot of the residents in the neighboring communities.
“Our Carillon Beach family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Stone Romberg, a cherished member of our community whose passing has touched so many of our homeowners, staff, and beach service team,” the Carillon Beach HOA wrote on Facebook.
Romberg served as the Beach Service Manager for La Dolce Vita Beach Service, a position he held since March 2024, according to his LinkedIn.
Other community members shared their own tributes to Romberg and his connection to the Florida coast area.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of our beloved Carillon Beach local, Salty regular, and wonderful husband and father that Stone Romberg was. We hold Stone’s family close in our hearts as he was such a bright light in our community,” Panama City Beach cafe the Salty Bottle & Brew wrote on Instagram.
