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Losing my buddy, Walt
MBK
Member Posts: 2,918 ✭✭✭
I met my lifetime best friend, Walter, on the way to kindergarden in 1947.
He was always healthier than me. He earned a U S Navy scholarship to Wisconsin.
Got his degree and did training to be a carrier pilot. He flew many missions in Nam, then left for a 30 year career with Delta.
He retired right after WTC when the gov't flunkies took away his mustache trimmer.
Too dangerous for the pilot to have in his pocket...all while he could crash any time he wanted.
Walt took up cigars in 01 when Rush began to "popularize" them. This was after he stopped getting the intense medical checkups because of having an ATP rating.
He was a gun guy, woodworker, and active in theater and Church. We emailed and spoke daily. I cautioned him about smoking, and he poo-pooed it.
Last summer his heart valve blew out and he was gone in just minutes.
He never was warned of any heart issues.
Figure -13 years. His Dad made it to about 88, and his Mom is 93 now. They did not smoke. With a good telescope, you could see Scott's neighborhood landmarks from Walt's place.
He was always healthier than me. He earned a U S Navy scholarship to Wisconsin.
Got his degree and did training to be a carrier pilot. He flew many missions in Nam, then left for a 30 year career with Delta.
He retired right after WTC when the gov't flunkies took away his mustache trimmer.
Too dangerous for the pilot to have in his pocket...all while he could crash any time he wanted.
Walt took up cigars in 01 when Rush began to "popularize" them. This was after he stopped getting the intense medical checkups because of having an ATP rating.
He was a gun guy, woodworker, and active in theater and Church. We emailed and spoke daily. I cautioned him about smoking, and he poo-pooed it.
Last summer his heart valve blew out and he was gone in just minutes.
He never was warned of any heart issues.
Figure -13 years. His Dad made it to about 88, and his Mom is 93 now. They did not smoke. With a good telescope, you could see Scott's neighborhood landmarks from Walt's place.
Comments
I have nearly lost my best friend twice in the last year.
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Regarding tobacco use/abuse, what a crime to the health and happier lives of folks, their families and friends. Lost both of my parents from it. Will be lossing a sister and brother and daughter likewise.
For me, I can weather lossing family and friends more readily they of course. I find it impossible not to think about how gyped their spouses and especially their children will be!
My health problems result from second hand smoke. It's worse than people marking events by freely shooting bullets ... the people that pay for the absurdity are usually the innocents hit by bullets that gravity brings back down. What a terrible loss, what a terrible waste!
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MBK - again sorry for your loss. I've known no others remain close best friends for longer than many folks even survive. So kudos and congratulations to you both for having something so valuable for such a good long while. [^]
I'm determined to be thankful for each day I have and all the good in my life. I know others who chose the opposite and instead focus on what they want and what they don't have.
NS