slapnpop
Rest in Peace our Forum Founder
Tonight I mourn the death of a close personal friend. Dennis Stauffer of Asheville, NC was killed yesterday in a car accident. Two other cars collided when one tried to turn left, and the left turner ricocheted into Dennis's car head on. His 1 year old son was also in the car, but survived without serious injuries. He leaves behind the one son, and his wife.
Dennis was only 32 years old. We were the same age. I met Dennis about 2003, when I interviewed him for a job. We ended up working side by side for 4 years. Even after I moved from Tennessee to Washington in 2007, I continued to work on projects for him from time to time. During the few years we worked together, Dennis had a big impact on me. I know that I wasn't his best friend, but he was mine. Dennis was probably the best person I've ever known.
Dennis was raised in a family where religion was a big part of life. Dennis took his beliefs to heart. He walked the path that he thought was right. Never in the time I knew him did he behave in ANY manner that could be considered morally ambiguous. I honestly mean that. But this didn't make him dull. He was also enjoyable to be around. He was funny, kind, and exceptionally gifted in the combined set of skills required to make drums. He was a master craftsman with an eye on the future, and the next big idea. You can see his work at Stauffer Percussion.
When we worked together making instruments, he made drums and I made basses. We bonded, and shared ideas freely back and forth. While he made a successful business out of this passion, I could only ever manage to build as a hobby. Over last few years, Dennis had inspired me to start building a shop again. I'm proud to say that I'm nearly there, and my "business" will try sell it's first instruments this year. Dennis had promised to help get my guitars and basses into the hands of contacts he already had in the music industry. His loss will mean a big change in my plans. We had planned to split a NAMM booth in Nashville at the next show. I probably won't be able to make that happen on my own this year, but I'll get there soon. Dennis was always dedicated to working, and now I feel obligated to carry forward that spirit of determination and commitment to making things happen.
The saddest part to me, is that his son Roan will never get to know Dennis. I'm sure he will hear indirectly about how wonderful his father was, but he won't learn it firsthand. I wish there was *anything* I could do to fix that.
This whole ordeal only serves to remind me once again of how fragile our existence here is. You can't live your life thinking "if I only..."
Go now and hold close the ones you love. Live every day like it could be your last, because it very well could.
Dennis was only 32 years old. We were the same age. I met Dennis about 2003, when I interviewed him for a job. We ended up working side by side for 4 years. Even after I moved from Tennessee to Washington in 2007, I continued to work on projects for him from time to time. During the few years we worked together, Dennis had a big impact on me. I know that I wasn't his best friend, but he was mine. Dennis was probably the best person I've ever known.
Dennis was raised in a family where religion was a big part of life. Dennis took his beliefs to heart. He walked the path that he thought was right. Never in the time I knew him did he behave in ANY manner that could be considered morally ambiguous. I honestly mean that. But this didn't make him dull. He was also enjoyable to be around. He was funny, kind, and exceptionally gifted in the combined set of skills required to make drums. He was a master craftsman with an eye on the future, and the next big idea. You can see his work at Stauffer Percussion.
When we worked together making instruments, he made drums and I made basses. We bonded, and shared ideas freely back and forth. While he made a successful business out of this passion, I could only ever manage to build as a hobby. Over last few years, Dennis had inspired me to start building a shop again. I'm proud to say that I'm nearly there, and my "business" will try sell it's first instruments this year. Dennis had promised to help get my guitars and basses into the hands of contacts he already had in the music industry. His loss will mean a big change in my plans. We had planned to split a NAMM booth in Nashville at the next show. I probably won't be able to make that happen on my own this year, but I'll get there soon. Dennis was always dedicated to working, and now I feel obligated to carry forward that spirit of determination and commitment to making things happen.
The saddest part to me, is that his son Roan will never get to know Dennis. I'm sure he will hear indirectly about how wonderful his father was, but he won't learn it firsthand. I wish there was *anything* I could do to fix that.
This whole ordeal only serves to remind me once again of how fragile our existence here is. You can't live your life thinking "if I only..."
Go now and hold close the ones you love. Live every day like it could be your last, because it very well could.
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