Tragedy, Worldly and Personal
I encourage everyone to make a donation to support the relief efforts in Asia. I will match the donation of everyone who emails me their receipt, up to a maximum total matching of $500.
Tens of thousands have already died; effective relief efforts could save the lives of many more. The best thing for the average American to do is give money.
So please, make a donation to one of these aid organizations. Quick links to the donation pages of selected organizations are below.
Brad Rowse
Closer to home, we in Greenwich are mourning the loss of Brad Rowse. I’d like everyone who knows his younger sister Tarah to give her all the support they can. She is taking some time off from the Peace Corps and will probably be in the area for a little while. Brad was a really good man.
Brad also has a lot of friends. I know this because many people are searching the web for his name and landing on this page. Some have even emailed me, seeking to send their condolences to his family.
For my part, I didn’t know him all that well. Sure we went to the same small high school, played football together, were both on the track team, and played in the school band. But, I remember him mostly as an intimidating senior who was at the same time sort of a goofy bear.
For example, I remember that when I started playing football my sophomore year, try as I might to get around Brad, he always blocked me. It was like he just lifted me up and moved me away from the play. He did it so easily that it was almost gentle. Then there was that goofy grin he wore so often. Frustrating! I think I almost preferred getting flattened by the blockers when they came through the hole shoulder to shoulder (we ran a power I).
I also remember the intensity he had in competition. He was a terror in the throwing ring. Once, the track coaches had him run the lead-off leg of the 4x100m. Not some tank relay either—the real deal. He ran so fast and with such intensity, they decided that it wasn’t worth risking an injury to their star thrower.
You can’t be as successful as Brad without being a role model and a leader. But he lead by his example, without ever seeming intent on leading. He had a positive impact on everyone around him just by raising his own standards so high. Some followed his lead closely, like his sister Tarah who was also a great thrower before switching to rugby in college. Others, like myself, have learned from his example and applied it with others on different paths. Of the many great people at Greenwich, Brad was one of the best models of dedication, intensity, and grace.