In Memorandum

We put a dear friend to rest today - a professor who left the school last Friday with his usual cheery wave and was felled that evening by a massive heart attack as he walked down his driveway to fetch his mail. We have been in a state of shock all week.

My colleague, a man who was something of a mentor to me, was a Muslim from Iran and the University offered the use of the Chapel for a memorial service with all Christian decorations removed and the service conducted by anyone they named. The family said yes, thank you - and leave the cross in place and would the University Chaplain (a Methodist) please officiate? The resulting service was as moving a blend of faiths as I have ever seen.

This blog is pseudo-anonymous and I will not link to his obituary here. Just know that the world lost an entrepenuer, scholar, poet, musician, and lover of all things beautiful this week. With the hustle and bustle of today's life I missed a few opportunities to lift a beer or two with him after work (he met a reading group after hours in a local bar) and deeply regret it today. He will be missed and he will be remembered.