I can't describe how much it has hurt me to find out of the passing of Dong Ngo. Anyone who has been through the doors of that Evans Street landmark knows what a unique person Dong was in cycling and elsewhere. For a self-made person from Vietnam, he taught people he met few things about life and how to live it. He did not die a wealthy many, but certainly one died a man who was rich in experiences. He was my boss for a number of years, and helped me put myself through college. After moving to NYC 10 years ago, we still kept in touch and though I typically only make it back to Denver 2-3 times a year, I would make a point of it to see him each time. I didn't think this past visit in September would be the last that I'd have with him. He looked fit from all the tennis that he'd been playing again.
He was a great friend, and an influence on me in my youth. Since I grew-up in the DU-area, I was hanging around that shop since before the age of 10, which means that I knew him for a quarter century. The Denver Spoke, and to a lesser extent, cycling for me will never be the same again.
If there is such a place as heaven, Dong I hope you have found a little slice of it to call your own.
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