stringbreaker

My neighbor and friend Don passed away early yesterday morning.He was 68 years old. He fought a valiant but in the end a losing battle with cancer. My LBS guy and also friend of Dons' called him a freak of nature. This guy was an amazing physical specimen even as cancer took its horrible toll. He never smoked or drank or overate or did any of the stuff that the doctors tell you will kill you. Even at an age when most guys start showing a gut and losing muscle he looked like a guy in his 30's looked like he didn't have an ounce of fat on him and well defined. He did the Seattle to Portland in one day so many times he told me he was tired of it so he didn't do it anymore. He played baseball (pitcher) not softball until about 5 years ago when he first started to battle cancer. I don't know how many people he inspired to get back on the bike but I was one of them. A fine mentor and even better friend I will miss him. Don never met a stranger and I guess that's why we hit it off so well, we both love to talk. He is survived by so many friends and aquaintences that will miss him terribly our neighborhood has lost a good friend in Don. He married the love of his life right in the midst of the battle with this devilish disease. She knew she might not have a lot of time with him but they made the most of it. She is a pillar of strength but also of grace and compassion to go into this marriage knowing their time could be short.She cared for him in the way only a loving wife can with tender mercy that a nursing staff can't. In the end it wasn't so much the cancer that took my friend but a brain infection from a surgery to remove a malignant tumor putting him in a coma and paralyzing him on one side. He is at rest now and in the arms of our savior, probably leading a 50 mile ride to the bakery for coffee and pie. Rest in peace my friend I will miss you

bjjoondo 

Our most sincere condolences to YOU and your friends in the passing into the light of a dear friend, may he have "sunshine and tailwinds" forever!

Steve B.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Remember him with every turn of the wheel.

SB

B. Carfree

That was a wonderful tribute to a man who clearly made the world a better place. I hope the joy of the memories he has made can outweigh the pain of his passing, for you and for everyone he touched.

CbadRider

I'm sorry for your loss. He sounded like a wonderful person.

John_V 

Sorry for the loss of your dear friend. I know what you are going through as I have lost several dear friends in the past few years. I'm sure he will be riding along side you each time you mount your bike.

El Gigante

Condolences to you and your friend's family - sounds like he was a very cool guy. His loss is another reminder of how time is fleeting and how important it is to make the most of it.

hikeandbike

Both this and the final tribute you wrote were beautifully stated. We meet so many people and really just a few touch us in such a special way. You were fortunate to have a relationship with such a great guy. It's not the number of years, it's the impact we make. Sounds like he really lived.

stringbreaker

Hikeandbike: I've been thinking about the way Don got out and did all those things and it makes me want to get out more and more. I've been in quite a funk all summer for some reason but I gotta get off my backside and start riding more. Gonna ride to work tomorrow I don't care if it rains or not. Just need to do it.

Dan Burkhart 

A wonderful tribute. So sorry for your loss.

VNA

So sad, and I am so sorry to read such a story--my condolences to his family and friends.

So unfortunately we forget that when it comes to health: "life is a crap shoot"

See: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ooligancyclist