By normal standards of friendship, I could not consider myself close to Don. Certainly he was not my illegitmate father like he was to some others here.
But Don was the sort of guy that made an oddfellow like me feel welcome. He was always humorous in his posts. But he was also welcoming and caring.
He invited me on assorted sorties, but because of what I considered the great distance, we never actually met. There were no great distances to Don. He was as well loved in Canada as in Mexico, and in every corner of the USA.
We corresponded several times over the years (I first came here in 2008, and have been in and out a couple of times, and we also crossed paths on the K1600 Forum since we both had to have K1600s when they were first announced).
He was always full of wit ... please note that I've said WIT, and the W is not a typo. Don wrote extensively. He wrote in an encouraging way. He wrote in an informing way. In his public posts since I've returned this last time, he seemed to have turned to 100% humor and had essentially become the High Jester for this Court. But Don was much deeper than humor. Much more caring than the humor showed. Much more supportive.
I note that some of the British fellows who only knew him from posts have suggested that maybe they weren't sure where they stood with him. I can assure them that Don loved them as much as the rest of us, and that he was only teasing them ... teasing is a true sign of affection among fellows like Don, and being teased by Don should be taken as a high honor.
Don and I both went through the trials and tribulations associated with the introduction of the K1600. Don was more tolerant, patient, and forgiving than I was. But this was another topic on which we could comiserate through private messages, and I always loved to get a message from beemerdons, under any circumstance.
Like some others, when I saw Tyler's post last night, I thought at first that it must be a joke. But when I read what she'd written, I was leveled. Don had just turned 67 ... We all know we're not immortal, but I sure thought Don would be around for a long time. Yesterday, before I saw Tyler's note, I spent a couple of hours with my financial advisor, and discovered that I could retire any time with full replacement of my income. I was mulling it over yesterday, wondering if I ought to plan to retire in 2016 and take advantage. Tyler's post pushed me across the threshhold. I will retire in 2016. I would like to be able to live in my retirement as Don lived in his retirement.
What a wonderful guy. What a terrible loss for his family, and for his friends, and for everyone who would wish a little better for the world.
Don, the last time we interacted, you told me to consider Bushmills Black Bush, and I ignored your advice and bought a bottle of 10 year old Tullamore DEW instead. I've raised a glass of the Tullamore DEW in your honor, and the Black Bush will not be far behind.
For a guy who would not be considered a friend under the natural historical order of friendship (pre-internet), I loved you, and I will miss you.
