When Tim Telkamp sets sail in August 2025 as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, he won’t be alone in spirit. With every mile across open ocean, he carries the memory of his late brother-in-law, Robert Spychalsky —a vibrant, adventurous soul whose life was extended by the care he received at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke.
Bob’s journey with glioblastoma began in the fall of 2010 when he suddenly began to limp. At first, his family thought it might be a stroke. After a visit to urgent care and further imaging, they learned it was a brain tumor. He was admitted to the hospital, began seizure medications, and shortly after underwent brain surgery. The tumor was confirmed to be a glioblastoma, and while not all of it could be removed, Bob made remarkable progress in rehab, regaining full mobility and running a 5K just one month later, in February 2011.
Following the race, Bob and his wife, Andrea, traveled to Duke to explore treatment options. There, he was presented with three different clinical trials, and with the guidance of his care team, chose the one that best suited him. Throughout their time at Duke, Andrea remembers how much support they received — not only from their doctors but from the entire staff. “Dr. Desjardins was amazing,” Andrea said. “She didn’t hold back, but she was incredibly empathetic.” Duke also helped them secure a travel grant, and Andrea received emotional support through Duke’s social work team. “They cared about us as a family, not just as a case,” she said.
Bob eventually chose to stop treatment following a recurrence and passed away peacefully on April 2, 2012. Andrea remembers him for his humor, resilience, and positive attitude throughout his diagnosis. “He even went skydiving before he passed,” she said. “He never lost his joy.”
More than a decade later, Tim decided to honor Bob’s legacy in a way that combined their shared love of adventure. He committed to racing in the global sailing event, which begins and ends in the UK and spans 11 months. The fleet consists of 10 boats and over 700 rotating crew members, but Tim is one of the few that will complete the entire circumnavigation.
During his early training, Tim found himself reflecting on the conversations he used to have with Bob, especially those about racing boats. The opportunity to take on this challenge, he says, reminded him of those who don’t get that chance. “I feel lucky that I get to do this,” Tim said. “It makes me think about the people who can’t. Bob didn’t get to live out all his dreams, but maybe I can carry some of them forward.”
Together with his wife Kathleen, Tim decided to turn the race into a fundraiser for the Tisch Brain Tumor Center. He’s documenting the journey through social media and setting small donation goals along the way, hoping to raise awareness and support through storytelling. Each leg of the race has a unique distance, and Tim is using a “dime-per-mile” model of $0.10 for every mile sailed. “If a leg is 4,000 miles, and I can raise $400, that’s amazing,” he said. "If we can do that for the entire 40,000 mile race, that's $4,000 for Duke."
This race is more than a test of endurance; it’s a tribute. It’s about honoring Bob’s life, sharing his story, and turning grief into purpose. Through wind, waves, and open water, Tim is charting a course not just around the globe, but toward hope for future families facing a brain tumor diagnosis.
To donate in support of Tim's journey, click here.
