Roy M passed away about two weeks ago. He wasn’t a celebrity or famous in the usual sense, but a remarkable neighbor/person in his own right.
102 years of a full life: WW II Marine Corps vet, retired from the USGS and has a mountain named after him for some of his work. His big 100th birthday bash had folks flying in from around the country and abroad. His daughters closely cared for him in his final years and he leaves them and a boatload of grandkids and great grandkids behind.
My wife developed a real friendship with him when he lived in the neighborhood and she continued her visits after he moved into a facility. Over the years she compiled lots of the stories he shared with her and she’ll finish/publish it now as “Conversations with Roy” and pass it onto his daughters and family. While he didn’t get to see the finished work (because there were always more fascinating stories 'til the very end), I think it’s a nice memory for my wife, and for his family to have.
He’ll finally be resting at Arlington National Cemetery. RIP.
Even “normal” people can lead rich and fascinating lives.
Get a dog. You will get to know everyone within a 3 mile radius from your daily walks.
Related story:
We live next to a large school field that surrounding residents walk their dogs at. I discovered that at 630am there was a sizable group of walkers so I met and joined them. When COVID hit, that dwindled to 2 or 3 as people started working from home. I was a regular, as was an elderly crusty British follow named Reg.
Reg was an absolute character. A former chemistry professor, he was incredibly smart, a survivor of the London blitz, on this third wife, and he loved a good gin. He was a very good time. For several years him and I spent 30 minutes together every morning and he would share stories, impart wisdom etc.
Eventually his wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died within a few weeks. Reg was heartbroken, and I think he decided then it was his time to go. Within the next few months his health deteriorated too, and he passed away.
A week before he died, he called me. In true Reg fashion he was calling everyone he knew to have one last laugh and chat. We talked for around ten minutes and before he got off he said “I just wanted to thank you for being my friend. I’ve lived a truly wonderful life, and have met so many incredible people and had so much fun. I’m not upset, or scared, I’m just filled with gratitude and that I got to share some of it with you. Take care of yourself, and your lovely young family”
A few days later he died. There were hundreds of people at his celebration of life. A normal life, lived to its fullest.
All that to say, the only reason my path crossed his was because of our dogs.
Ha, I was going to tell the same story, and neighbor Bob would be just about 102 years old now too!! It really nice and lucky to be able to meet and socialize with that generation, not many of them left…
Bob sounds like a great guy. If he would be about 100, is Bob still alive?
I’ve only “known” Dan through this site. And after the sale it seems like he’s moved on to next chapters. Hope he’s still healthy, happy, alive and well.