mittelstadt (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mittelstadt) wrote in giddyoldgoat, |
Re: Memorial B-APA for Steve Whitaker
To Richard Whitaker:
Mike Mittelstadt here; Steve's friend (and former Mander classmate) in Watertown, NY. Found your message and wanted to pass along my deep condolences. (I tried e-mailing, too, but it bounced.)
I found out last Saturday by calling to speak to Steve and your father broke the news to me.
The Internet response has been amazing; I regret I do not know know most of Steve's UK friends but hope to "meet" some of them online.
I'm afraid my conversation with your dad ended rather abruptly; I was shocked and nearly speechless; but I felt there was so much more to say, however tough to express. I know you and I haven't met or spoken in about 20 years (when you were an advertising illustrator for one of the Bedford papers); and I'm sad to say that in that time I have not spoken with your dad much when I called to speak with Steve. (I have only visited the UK 4 times since 1975, the last 2 (1995 and '98) with my wife of nearly 14 years, Kim, who met Steve on both occasions.) She liked him a lot he and I used to make her giggle (often at my expense), She would join in the phone chats at Christmas and other times.
Please let your father know I have just airmailed him a letter in which I have attempted to express some of my respect and admiration for Steve (who practically taught me to draw, too, even though we were about the same age). I still dabble in cartooning and, encouraged immensely by Steve, have sold a few gag cartoons in recent years. Before drawing the cartoons I would usually share the ideas with Steve by e-mail.
I expect your father will receive my letter in a week or two. I had the impression he doesn't use online communication.
My prayers remain with him, you and your sister, who your dad said will be taking care of him. He sounded as though he's bearing up.
Anyway, I'm at work right now (I am employed as an editor/paginator for a small daily paper here in the Thousand Islands region near Canada) so I must end this, but I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.
--Mike
To Richard Whitaker:
Mike Mittelstadt here; Steve's friend (and former Mander classmate) in Watertown, NY. Found your message and wanted to pass along my deep condolences. (I tried e-mailing, too, but it bounced.)
I found out last Saturday by calling to speak to Steve and your father broke the news to me.
The Internet response has been amazing; I regret I do not know know most of Steve's UK friends but hope to "meet" some of them online.
I'm afraid my conversation with your dad ended rather abruptly; I was shocked and nearly speechless; but I felt there was so much more to say, however tough to express. I know you and I haven't met or spoken in about 20 years (when you were an advertising illustrator for one of the Bedford papers); and I'm sad to say that in that time I have not spoken with your dad much when I called to speak with Steve. (I have only visited the UK 4 times since 1975, the last 2 (1995 and '98) with my wife of nearly 14 years, Kim, who met Steve on both occasions.) She liked him a lot he and I used to make her giggle (often at my expense), She would join in the phone chats at Christmas and other times.
Please let your father know I have just airmailed him a letter in which I have attempted to express some of my respect and admiration for Steve (who practically taught me to draw, too, even though we were about the same age). I still dabble in cartooning and, encouraged immensely by Steve, have sold a few gag cartoons in recent years. Before drawing the cartoons I would usually share the ideas with Steve by e-mail.
I expect your father will receive my letter in a week or two. I had the impression he doesn't use online communication.
My prayers remain with him, you and your sister, who your dad said will be taking care of him. He sounded as though he's bearing up.
Anyway, I'm at work right now (I am employed as an editor/paginator for a small daily paper here in the Thousand Islands region near Canada) so I must end this, but I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.
--Mike
