Condolences for
Curtis W. Kieser, Jr.

Annemarie, Mr. Kieser, Val, Lee Ann, Karen, Cliff, Jennifer and Family,

I had every intention of stopping by tomorrow to say hello but am sorry to say I now can't make it. Still, I wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and to say how great it's been to have known Curt (and you all) these many years. He was an extraordinary guy, Curt, and probably Giro's oldest friend. I can still see the two of them yukking it up at the Kieser compound in Bala or at our place on Union Avenue--two genuine, guys who truly valued their lifelong friendship. And Curt was always there for us through the few losses our family suffered over in recent years. Always. And not just the losses--he was there for the celebrations too--he was part of OUR family.

For John (and Mary), nothing was more important than the annual trip to the mountain house, which he loved, and which I was lucky enough to experience some years back, and where my family and I were welcomed by your family with the same warmth and generosity that met any of us whenever we walked into the old home in Bala.

Like Giro, he was an original--kind and soulful with a sly sense of humor and quick wit, both of them just a bit smarter than they ever let on. And they were both family guys from top to bottom, who profoundly loved their wives and children, but who would never overtly display that mushy side that drove them and kept them going.

Tough to lose a sibling, tougher to lose a spouse, and tougher yet to lose a son or daughter--it rubs against the natural order of things. No words offer ample consolation and all I have are these few to let you know that Curt, and the Kieser family, will always hold a very important place in the lives of many, including me.