Gary passed away in August of 2007 of a heart defect which resulted from a childhood case of rheumantic fever. He had a damaged heart valve he knew would have to be replaced at some point, but such procedures were extremely risky in our younger years. We had lost contact for a number of years but we reconnected in the summer of '07. I talked to him twice just before his death. The second time he called to tell me that he had scheduled the surgery after passing out due to the valve malfunctioning. The prognosis was excellent. But before the surgery could be done, the valve gave out and he died of heart failure. As his wife, Marilyn said, he just waited too long.
He was my best friend in the last two years of high school and all through college and grad school. He was brash and outspoken and certainly could be abbrasive. He was highly intelligent although some had occasion to question that. He was one of the most well read people I ever met. We had our ups and downs but we understood each other well and always just put disagreements behind us usually without revisiting them. I still regret that I could not have visited with him in person before he died but I am grateful we were able to renew our friendship however briefly. Like some of our other classmates, he died too young.
Gary made me laugh. I was surprised to hear of his heart illness and his death. He always seemed bigger than life to me. I was amazingly bright and I enjoyed our talks - even through I had no clue what he was talking about. - Judy Karstens (Luther)
Ronald Mayer
Gary passed away in August of 2007 of a heart defect which resulted from a childhood case of rheumantic fever. He had a damaged heart valve he knew would have to be replaced at some point, but such procedures were extremely risky in our younger years. We had lost contact for a number of years but we reconnected in the summer of '07. I talked to him twice just before his death. The second time he called to tell me that he had scheduled the surgery after passing out due to the valve malfunctioning. The prognosis was excellent. But before the surgery could be done, the valve gave out and he died of heart failure. As his wife, Marilyn said, he just waited too long.
He was my best friend in the last two years of high school and all through college and grad school. He was brash and outspoken and certainly could be abbrasive. He was highly intelligent although some had occasion to question that. He was one of the most well read people I ever met. We had our ups and downs but we understood each other well and always just put disagreements behind us usually without revisiting them. I still regret that I could not have visited with him in person before he died but I am grateful we were able to renew our friendship however briefly. Like some of our other classmates, he died too young.
Judy Karstens (Luther)
Gary made me laugh. I was surprised to hear of his heart illness and his death. He always seemed bigger than life to me. I was amazingly bright and I enjoyed our talks - even through I had no clue what he was talking about. - Judy Karstens (Luther)
Judy Karstens (Luther)
Proofing is important. Where is Jeanette when I need her? Anyway, I meant to say Gary was bright. (I am not!) - Judy