Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Just Checking In

Been out of touch for a while - just returned from visiting my family in Hawaii. A couple of weeks ago my brother succumbed to liver cancer - he was only 57. Well, the nice thing was he was visited by a nonstop flow of his friends and family while in the hospital. His funeral was attended by close to five hundred people. At the time of his illness and passing he was the Chief Boatswain for the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette. The representative from NOAA, a Commander, read a letter from a Rear Admiral which among other things called my brother a legend in the Pacific for NOAA. He will be sorely missed by many, but everyone has fond memories of him to cherish.
Anyway, I'm back in WA State and have a few small projects I hope to start on once I get back in the mood - whenever that may be. One thing I did while in Hawaii that was hobby related was stopping in a fantastic store called The Armchair Adventurer. It is run by a gentleman by the name of Glen Fong. He had a store at another location many years ago where he steered me into my first 28mm figures - Redoubt Trojan War figures. His store consists of several rooms with models, books, kits and board games stacked to the ceiling. He has untold boxes of old lead like 25mm Essex Napoleonics to newer plastics like Warlord Games and Perry. As for model kits he has one of a kind stuff like the submarine from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. I picked up a long OOP Warmaster Empire Hero on Griffon. It was just too cool not to get. Incidentally, Glen and I have little bit in common, we're both '79 high school grads from Hawaii and served in the US Army.

28 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about your brother Dean, I'm sure he'd appreciate your kind words.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you very much, Ray. Yes, I got to speak to him via Skype - by the time I got to Hawaii he had passed. But it was a good talk and he was alert to the very end. Warm regards, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  3. My sincerest condolences Dean. I'm sure it was a source of strength having so many turn out to his funeral - quite the send-off.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for your kind words - yes, the air was filled with emotion - his daughter and grand daughter did a farewell hula that left not an eye dry. His son sang a beautiful song too. It was as much a celebration of his life more than anything. Warm regards, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  5. So sorry to hear of your loss Dean. My condolences. Scott.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you very much, Scott. I really appreciate the comraderie we all share in the hobby as well as life. Warm Regards, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, Dean. He was clearly well loved and very highly regarded.

    Jason

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you kindly, Jason. I appreciate your thoughts. Regards, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sorry about your brother.

    It's always cool to visit out of state stores.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Truly sorry for your loss Dean. Sounds like he made a difference in the lives of a lot of people.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks so much, Gents. Yes, he touched the lives of many in the best way. Aloha, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  12. Deepest condolences Dean, glad you got to speak to him at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  13. My deepest sympathies Dean. Far too young to go, but remembered with love and with honor.

    I checked out the link for your friends store. "For the kid who never grew up" I like that.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sorry to hear of your sad loss Dean but it's good to know you have happy memories of your brother and he had a good send off.

    Regards,
    Matt

    ReplyDelete
  15. My commiserations too Dean. Have missed your work over the last few weeks. Trust your faith has seen you and your family through the last few weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dean, I am terribly sorrow to hear you news, please accept my sympathies to you and your family.

    With best wishes,

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm very sorry to hear of your brothers passing but it seems he was a grand fellow and left the earth a better place for him him being on it.

    All the best
    Miles

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sorry to hear about your brother Dean.

    Best wishes

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family Dean.

    Regards,
    Greg

    ReplyDelete
  20. Condolences. Sounds like your brother touched a lot of people's lives.

    FMB

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dean,
    My condolences to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you all so very much for your kind, heartfelt words. I didn't want to bum anyone out, but wanted to explain why I haven't visited your blogs or posted anything on mine. Warmest Aloha to you all, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm sorry to hear about your brother, Dean. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family sir.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sorry to hear that Dean. My aunt is going through Pancreatic cancer right now, just had the Whipple surgery a few weeks ago. Liver and pancreas is never good.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you kindly, Gents. Your words are very comforting. I hope to be able to pick up the paint brush soon, but not feeling it right now. Warmest Aloha, Dean

    ReplyDelete
  26. Really sorry to hear of your losing your brother, Dean. Sounds like he had a great send off- a celebration of a life well-lived indeed.

    Interesting to see that you are a class of '79 grad. That's the same year I graduated in Vancouver.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Dean,

    Sorry to read of your loss. Your tribute clearly does him proud.

    As for the process of grieving, I can only say, "And this, too, shall pass."

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the words of encouragement, Gentlemen. Aloha, Dean

    ReplyDelete