After JFK Conference, when I got home, I felt like RFK.
Heartbroken: I returned to Detroit to discover my best friend had died on the Wednesday I drove to Pittsburgh. It was a shock followed by a hammer blow -- the sudden, unexpected and complete loss of a most trusted friend who truly was my brother in work and in spirit.
My wife and friends did not want to tell me while I was there. Even my best friend's wife, whom I consider a sister, told my wife she wanted me to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience. That's what my friend would have wanted, too.
A journalist, reporter and writer of the Old School, he was the one colleague with whom I most wanted to share what I learned at Duquesne. I got the tragic word upon my return home at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. When I saw my friend and her children at the service yesterday, Sunday, I cried. I'm still crying, typing these words.
The minute before I got the news, I felt like I was on top of the world. I had just returned from hearing many of the great people from whom I've learned over the past 50 years. Some of the younger authors and presenters knew about DU, a couple at least who said they'd learned and benefitted from DU. Regardless of names or percentages, we were there, learning and sharing information.
What I want to first report: DUers we aren't wasting our time following research, news, and analysis pertaining to the assassination of President Kennedy. In those three days, I learned more in many college courses I’ve taken on history or science. I couldn’t wait to share what I learned with my family and friends on DU and in life.
So, after being gone four days, I got home and greeted my family, whom I missed dearly. I sat down and took a bite to eat and asked why everyone was sad to see me. My wife told me my that we had lost a friend. His name was the first that came to mind, considering his job involved a lot of travel. My friend had passed away on Wednesday, perhaps while I was driving up to the conference.
No one knew what happened until his daughter came home from school and found him. He was a great man. Tops in every way. A family man. A patriot. A man of integrity. He was only 60. The blow will never leave my heart or anyone blessed to be part of his family, nor from the hearts and minds of those who knew him or crossed paths with him. He was that great a human being.
When I get my stuff together, I promise to share exactly the news and information from the JFK Assassination and what We the People can do to restore Justice in the JFK case. Of course it has to do with fair elections, stopping Wars without End for power and profit, and end Police State America. Hint: All it takes is You.
I will tell you why I felt like RFK upon my return from Pittsburgh: The loss of a brother leaves a void that cannot be filled.
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Condolences.
That truly sucks.
sorry about the loss of your friend. 
Deepest sympathy to all who loved him.
May your friend cross gently. 
there's no words for this kind of loss. just feeling for you.
few days must have been.
How sad
Take care of yourself as you grieve. May the strength of the friendship you shared bring some measure of comfort, and may you find your way to peace.
It is shocking when it happens so sudden. I hope you find peace and can remember the joy you share d with your friend.
I hope you'll be able to carry on in his name.
I'll look forward to hearing about your experiences at the conference and, most importantly, your own insights. I hope this will be a series.
I'm so very sorry to be reading of your tragic loss. I'm glad you were jazzed about the conference, and though I'm very interested in all that you want to share, first you need to take all the time you need for grieving and decompressing.
These mysteries have been waiting for years to be solved, it can wait for another day.. take care of yourself and your fam..
I'm sorry you lost your wingman.
TYY
Still your folks did the right thing. Cry my brother - it's cathartic and your friend deserves your tears.
on the loss of your wife. Please accept a hug, por favor??
wife.
Take care, Octafish, and thank you for letting us know.
Peace...
My beliefs say that you two will meet again....
For what it is worth I am here for you.
Heart ache is the most painful.
Peace my friend.
Hot.
We're here for ya.
When you're feeling up to it, lots of us here are looking forward to hearing about your conference.
What a way to come home. I really feel for you.
Hugs to you for the loss of your good friend and know we will hear more from you when you've had time to deal with this terrible loss.
Peace to you, Octafish.
Sunset over the Motor City, 22 October 2013.
Thank you, ALL.
My buddy was a great journalist, covering the auto reviews for a great metropolitan daily. A man with integrity, I trusted him with my family's safety. He took me out for a spin around the block in a Porsche Panamera. I wanted to wash the car, I was so happy.
Doug earned the job, beating the living daylights out of the bad guys on local, state and federal levels. An Eagle Scout, tops in every way as a human being and as a friend. I still can't believe he's gone from us.
I do know our time here is short. Knowing you from DU, ucrdem, I know that you also appreciate the gift we've been given.
What a shame.
p.s. thanks Octa!
