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In memoriam - lost friends

TLEDDY

Addicted to Fun and Learning
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I was listening to some classical music and had an attack of melancholy. Here in Florida, we have had a small group of music and quality reproduction equipment lovers, four of us to be precise. We met each other fifty years ago in the Palm Beaches.

Two years ago we lost Randy… he was our technical guru specializing in tube gear. He was a Vietnam Combat veteran, a Marine, who survived having his Huey shot down, resulting in serious injury, but survived to return to the States. What he did not survive was pancreatic cancer - that disease killed him in only three months following his diagnosis. He died at my condominium, under the loving care of his wonderful lady.

And now, the Four Musketeers became three.

Then, one year ago, we lost Ken. He was the first of us to adopt powered speakers, the big Genelec 8361s. He was also a Vietnam Combat veteran, an Army Ranger 0-3 Officer with Purple Heart and Bronze Star awards. After the military, he owned a major restaurant and bar in the Palm Beaches. He died due to a massive stroke, passing instantly at home.

Now… there are two remaining.

Tom, a Vietnam-era Navy veteran, who likes a variety of classical music. He especially enjoys piano pieces. He had the earliest Magnaplanars, the four panel system driven by Audio Research electronics. He presently is running Modified Quad 57s with SVS Subs.

I am the other remaining member. Also a Vietnam-era soldier, in the Army Medical Corps and never in combat. My audio history is recoded extensively on this site; I am now in my 84th year! I mentioned elsewhere my equipment history and the my personal end of time system is Sanders 10e speakers with Benchmark electronics.

Please forgive my nostalgia… I expect that I am one of the most elder on the Forum, so allowed a little leeway. My closest friends in the last fifty years have been these insane audiophiles, sharing our varied experiences over half a century of great music and wonderful equipment!!

Tillman, SSG E-6, Army Medical Corps
 
Our local Suncoast Audiophile Society lost three of our longtime members within a 2 month span last year. It's a sobering reminder that we're only here for a finite time, and need to make the most of every day. Unfortunately, IMHO, the younger generation(s) aren't embracing this hobby enough (as audiphiles or otherwise) to replace those of us passing on.
 
It was shocking when my wife and I lost the last of our parents and uncles/aunts then realized we were the "elders" of the family. It's hard to grasp, and at times I still find myself in a funk wishing I could ask one of them something.
 
It was shocking when my wife and I lost the last of our parents and uncles/aunts then realized we were the "elders" of the family. It's hard to grasp, and at times I still find myself in a funk wishing I could ask one of them something.
Same, same... funny, I don't feel "old".

My dad and I were discussing this some twenty or so years ago. He was saying that while he "knew" he was in his 80s his internal "clock" refused to accept it.
 
It was shocking when my wife and I lost the last of our parents and uncles/aunts then realized we were the "elders" of the family. It's hard to grasp, and at times I still find myself in a funk wishing I could ask one of them something.
Dittos all around.
 
It was shocking when my wife and I lost the last of our parents and uncles/aunts then realized we were the "elders" of the family. It's hard to grasp, and at times I still find myself in a funk wishing I could ask one of them something.
My father died too early in 2000, and when my mother died in 2013 we were at her bed as she passed away. My brother looked at me and said: "Now we are alone!". I answered:"No, we aren't, we both have loving wifes, and we have each other." I don't know whether that gave him some comfort though.
 
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