Gary was what this country used to be, that is "old school". Married just out of high school and was faithful to his bride and family for over 50 years. Never asked what this country could do for him, but earned it for himself. On the football field, I remember he was old school tough. I admired the fact that he did not sweat as heavily as me, but he was a hundred pounds lighter. Someday, when I join him, I will see Gary and coach Nordman and talk about the "old school" times when Riverview ruled the Suburban North beating schools with twice the number of students.

Early Thanksgiving morning, I opened my iPad to catch up on the day’s news and instead found a text from Rich Leh that my closest friend as a young boy and man had passed away. I knew Gary had been ill in the past few years but saw him at our 50th, and he seemed in good health. I am devastated and regretful. Gary was never one for email or texts, so we didn’t stay in touch. He was still in the Midwest, and I had moved West many years ago. The memories kept coming in waves. I was there when Gary broke his jaw playing football and when we got into a fight with a group of guys after a pickup game. I remember another pickup game where Gary was trying to score from about the two-yard line; playing defense, I met him at the goal line, nailed him in the thigh, he catapulted up, flipped, and landed in the end zone. Gary was the kicker on our varsity football team, and I was his holder. Talk about trust – he never kicked me, and I never pulled the ball away at the last second. We used to trick our parents, each saying we were spending the night at the other’s home, and we would stay out roaming the neighborhood all night. We used to walk from our homes to Northland Shopping Center or River Roads Mall and wreak havoc. We played pool at the local pool hall, drove golf balls at a nearby range, and played on the grade school football and baseball teams. We weren’t bad kids, just very adventurous boys, turning into young men. I won’t relate the stories of playing junior commandos at Chain of Rocks Park; suffice to say, we repeatedly pushed the limits. We both purchased 1963 Chevy Impala Super Sports – his had the bigger engine and was faster. After high school graduation, we drifted apart a bit. Gary went to Harris Teacher’s College, where he starred on their soccer team – I believe he made little All American. Chris Domitrovich and I went to Central Methodist to play football. After our freshman year, none of us played in college again. Chris and I both were injured, and Gary was married. We were in each other’s weddings, and I was his child’s Godfather. A responsibility I failed at miserably. At one point, Gary decided to attempt corporate America and took a position with Maybelline as a sales rep. I helped Gary pick out a suit, shirts, ties, and shoes. The job didn’t last, yet Gary went on to a very long and successful career as an entrepreneur. And we grew apart. Life gets in the way; different career paths, a second marriage for me, relocation to a new city. My youngest son called recently and said he had spent some time with Gary at a birthday party for my ex. He loved the stories Gary told of our adventures. I could not be happier with my life. And, in reading his obituary, I know Gary couldn’t have been happier with his. We’ve lost a very good person. Rest in peace, Gary.

I received a message from Tom Youngerman regarding Gary's death a few days ago. We had a group of five guys during Senior year that did pretty much everything together. Gary, Tom, Chris Domitrovich, Don Cole and I were very close friends. We had so much fun! Tom said "there are only three of us left". I can't explain to you how much it hit me when he wrote that message. Chris gone and now Gary. I am so happy that I knew them. Gary was such a nice guy and a true friend. I know that he had a good life. RIP old friend.