Wednesday, March 18, 2020
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Words can never adequately express how we feel in times like this. And it seems we've been in this situation a bit much lately. To say "my deepest condolences" seems so little, when what I want to do is reach through the computer screen and bear hug Barb, their families, my WVNET family, and everyone who feels this loss.
To say I was caught off guard when I was emailed about Randy would be an understatement. Randy was far too young. And the suddenness of it, vs. some of the other losses the WVNET family has suffered in recent years, made it only more jarring. But in times like these, the only comfort we can take is in knowing we have each other, and in the memories we have. And thankfully, we have many with Randy.
I knew Randy for over 20 years. When I started working at WVNET in Oct 1998, Randy was there. We worked together in the Telcomm group for 4-5 years before he joined the Systems group. When I left last year, Randy was there. And when I stopped by WVNET last month to visit my second family, Randy was there. I even remember where I was standing when he saw me (a memory I now cherish even more as I am grateful to have that memory).
As others have well said, Randy had a big heart. Truth is, Randy was a good soul. To be sure, we had our disagreements at times, like any family members might. :-) But to me, one of Randy's most endearing qualities was his capacity for self-reflection and compassion. I have a vivid memory of a time when we disagreed on something (what I cannot honestly remember). But what I DO remember clearly was Randy coming to me at one point later and saying, "I'm sorry, man. We shouldn't be fighting. You're my friend." And we hugged. That was Randy.
I'm sure we all have our own favorite memories. How Randy & Barb were the dynamic duo of handling office luncheons in recent years. Or how Randy, on one particular occasion in a rather difficult staff meeting, where others were mostly of one mind regarding a staff member, Randy stood up for the person. Not because it was popular, but because it was the right thing to do. He advocated compassion and how this person was one of us, and how we should all be a family, even in such trying times. That action stuck with me. It showed the true measure of the man.
There are so many things I'd like to write, but these are just a few of the key memories I keep close to my heart when it comes to Randy. Even thinking about this as I type this, I can't help but tear up. We may only have been an office family, but Randy, my brother, you will be missed. Peace, my friend.