Panama City Beach, Florida — A 31-year-old father of two has died after attempting to rescue a seagull that became tangled in his fishing line along Florida’s Panhandle coast. William “Stone” Romberg was fishing near Phillips Inlet when the tragic incident unfolded Sunday afternoon, leaving his family, friends and local community mourning his sudden loss.

Romberg, who worked as a beach service manager for hospitality company La Dolce Vita, was remembered by loved ones as a devoted husband and father whose kindness made a lasting impression on those around him.

According to a fundraising campaign established for his family, Romberg was fishing near the Pinnacle Port Condominiums when his cast accidentally hooked a seagull. He reportedly entered the water to try to free the bird from the fishing line.

How the Tragic Incident Unfolded

Romberg was with friends near the Florida beach when he noticed the seagull had become caught in his fishing equipment. Rather than leaving the bird tangled, he attempted to swim out and help it.

During the rescue attempt, his hand became caught on the bird and the hook as he tried to untangle the fishing lure, according to fundraiser creator Heidi Fortner.

Romberg then attempted to swim back toward shore. However, the current reportedly carried him farther out into the water, and he ultimately drowned.

The incident turned what began as an ordinary fishing outing into a devastating loss for his family and the people who knew him.

The available account does not provide further details about the rescue response or whether the seagull survived.

Who Was William “Stone” Romberg?

Romberg was a 31-year-old husband and father of two young daughters. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, he lived and worked in the Florida Panhandle, where he became a familiar face in the surrounding beach communities.

His daughters were just 1 and 3 years old when he died. The family had celebrated the younger child’s first birthday approximately two weeks before the tragedy.

Romberg worked as the Beach Service Manager for La Dolce Vita, a hospitality business serving coastal communities. His employer shared a tribute remembering his life and the impact he had on others.

“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,” La Dolce Vita wrote.

The message reflected the grief felt by colleagues who remembered Romberg not only as a member of their team but also as someone whose actions demonstrated concern for another living creature.

Community Pays Tribute to a Beloved Father

News of Romberg’s death prompted an outpouring of condolences from residents, local businesses and community organizations.

The Carillon Beach Homeowners Association shared a tribute on Facebook, describing him as a valued member of the community whose death had affected homeowners, staff and beach service workers.

“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 association wrote.

The Salty Bottle & Brew, a Panama City Beach cafe, also remembered Romberg in a message posted on Instagram.

“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,” the cafe wrote.

These tributes highlighted the connections Romberg had built throughout the area and the sadness surrounding his sudden death.

Fundraiser Seeks Support for His Wife and Daughters

A GoFundMe campaign organized by Heidi Fortner was established to support Romberg’s family following the tragedy.

The fundraiser identifies his wife, Taylor, and their two young daughters as those left behind after his death. Losing a parent and partner unexpectedly can create both emotional and financial challenges, particularly for a family with very young children.

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Messages shared by his employer and local organizations have emphasized the importance of supporting the family as they navigate the loss.

A Tragic Reminder About Conditions in the Water

Romberg’s death also highlights the risks that can arise when someone enters open water to rescue an animal or retrieve fishing equipment.

Currents can make swimming back to shore difficult, even for people who are comfortable in the water. Fishing hooks and tangled lines can add further complications during an attempted rescue.

People who encounter wildlife caught in fishing equipment should avoid putting themselves in danger and consider contacting local wildlife rescue professionals for assistance.

For Romberg’s family and the Panama City Beach community, however, the immediate focus remains on remembering a husband, father and friend whose death has left a profound void.

What safety precautions do you think beachgoers should know before entering the water to help an animal in distress? Share your thoughts in the comments, and keep Romberg’s wife and two young daughters in your thoughts during this difficult time.