I don’t mean to diminish anyones death, but this was another example of borderline suicide. He didn’t just “die”, he got himself killed through intentional acts.
His death wasn't his goal, so you can't describe this as suicide in any sense. What he was doing included mortal danger, but that is true of everything from commuting to work to driving a race car.
I'll give you a pass and won't flame you since it seems you are speaking out of ignorance.
Tim was a colleague and a researcher. He gathered data by placing probes in the path of storms. His goal was to get data from right at the surface to better understand tornadoes. He wasn't there to seek thrills. His goal, as are all storm researchers (whether they be tornadoes, severe or hurricanes) was to get data to eventually (and probably not in our lifetime...but lay the groundwork) figure these things out so that we know when they will form and save lives....and to know how to build so as to withstand them.
In a sense...these guys are laying it down to get the info so researchers can model the data...so that others can survive.