Saying Goodbye to a Friend

Saying goodbye to a friend.

A friend of mine died this past weekend. In hindsight, I would have liked to be closer to Stan. But, I am grateful for the time we did spend together and the friendship we had.

I met him through Scouting. His son, John, was the Den Chief for a den I shared with Glenn, another scouting friend. Stan was not a parent to point his kids at something and then leave them unsupported, he participated with them. He came to the meetings as we entered Boy Scouts, he went on many of the trips and ran the awards table for one of the coldest winter events I have experienced. He could always be found on the sidelines, cheering on his kids. There was no doubt he was in their corner, pushing them, cheering them and loving them.

Professionally, he was a local State Farm agent, ours, in fact. He ran his business with an interesting mix of efficiency and warmth. He always had time for me when I needed to discuss auto insurance, but the conversation always turned to kids, Scouts and the latest update on how those Scouts working on the Personal Management merit badge were doing. He gave of himself freely and with love – what more can you ask of any man.

Stan will be profoundly missed by his family, 51 is way to young to leave them. And, all of us who shared parts of our life with him are better for the experience and left empty by his departure.

He was loved and will be missed.