Who is that guy?

Well, I went to Russell's funeral and reconnected with a couple of people that I haven't seen for 30 years. It was cathartic in many ways. In fact, I immediately called up my old friend Ralph and had lunch with him. It's weird, but I sort of felt a sense of urgency, like if I didn't call him right away I might not see him in time before he died. I just got this pic back from our company shindig in Tucson, and thought I'd put it up and remove the mystery of what Tim really looks like. I have a beard (really, it's fake! it helps me maintain my secret identity when I am not saving the world as Captain America).

Goodbye Russell

My best friend from childhood, Russell Saunders, died on Valentine's day. He was 47. I will be going to the funeral on Monday.
I have not seen Russell since I was 17 years old. I moved away from the old 'hood at age 15, and we just sort of lost track. His older sister, Becky, called me to tell the sad news Thursday. Arortic aneurysm bursting is the doctor's verdict. This is something that I know something about, being in heart surgery and all. He didn't have a chance. When that happens, you bleed to death internally in mere minutes.
When we were little, Russell and I were closer than brothers. We did everything together, Becky was like my big sister, about four years older. We played army (He was always Sgt. Saunders from the "Combat!" show, even though I was the blond one back then, I was Lt. Hanley). We swam everyday all summer long in my swimming pool, our families had Bar-B-Ques together, we rode mini-bikes in the miles and miles of trails behind our house. It was a wonderful childhood.
Even though we grew apart, and it's probably been almost thiry years since we last spoke, I am awfully sad. Russell, if you can somehow read these words I want you to know that having you in my life, and the joy of being boys together is one of the finest memories in my life. Goodbye, my brother.



















This photo is from September 1969. I was 8, Russell was 10