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.
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28 comments:

  1. Ray RousellJuly 16, 2013 at 4:39 PM

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

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  2. DeanMJuly 16, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    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

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  3. Unlucky GeneralJuly 16, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    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.

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  4. DeanMJuly 16, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    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

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  5. ScottswargamingJuly 16, 2013 at 5:20 PM

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

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  6. DeanMJuly 16, 2013 at 5:21 PM

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

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  7. JasonJuly 16, 2013 at 5:24 PM

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

    Jason

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  8. DeanMJuly 16, 2013 at 7:04 PM

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

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  9. ItinerantJuly 16, 2013 at 7:47 PM

    Sorry about your brother.

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

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  10. RodFleckJuly 16, 2013 at 10:30 PM

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

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  11. DeanMJuly 16, 2013 at 10:42 PM

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

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  12. The Angry LurkerJuly 16, 2013 at 11:29 PM

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

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  13. UnknownJuly 17, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    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.

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  14. Ubique MattJuly 17, 2013 at 12:37 AM

    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

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  15. Dan VincentJuly 17, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    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.

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  16. Michael AwdryJuly 17, 2013 at 2:02 AM

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

    With best wishes,

    Michael

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  17. jmilesrJuly 17, 2013 at 2:50 AM

    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

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  18. CyrusJuly 17, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    Sorry to hear about your brother Dean.

    Best wishes

    Mike

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  19. Greg SaparaJuly 17, 2013 at 5:36 AM

    Thoughts and prayers to you and your family Dean.

    Regards,
    Greg

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  20. fireymonkeyboyJuly 17, 2013 at 6:34 AM

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

    FMB

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  21. Michael ButcherJuly 17, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    Dean,
    My condolences to you and your family.

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  22. DeanMJuly 17, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    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

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  23. MontyJuly 17, 2013 at 1:31 PM

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

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  24. PsychosisPCJuly 17, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    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.

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  25. DeanMJuly 17, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    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

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  26. RobertJuly 17, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    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.

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  27. Evan HughesJuly 18, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    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."

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  28. DeanMJuly 18, 2013 at 7:57 PM

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

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