REHupa

We learned on Friday of the death of Steve Tompkins, a loss I’m still struggling to grasp, and then on Saturday came the news that Joan McCowen had passed away.  Two hard blows in one weekend.

I’d known Joan longer, but she was older than me, only a little younger than my parents, in fact — she and Alton were married the year of my birth.  And Joan had been in poor health for some time, and in a steady decline the past several months, so we knew her passing was a matter of time.  The loss still aches, even when expected.  I’m so thankful that the Cross Plains Public Library sponsored the tribute day for Joan back in December, and I was able to be there and see her one last time and reminisce.  She was a marvelous lady and a wonderful friend, an energetic and enthusiastic champion for literacy and for her adopted home town of Cross Plains.  She’ll be sorely missed.  For more on Joan, you can read the tribute that I wrote for Joan McCowen Day, linked above, and those of Leo Grin and Damon Sasser.

Steve’s loss is a harder one to adjust to.  I just can’t get my mind wrapped around the reality that he’s gone.  To give you some idea how much I leaned on Steve, I keep wanting to call him or email to ask him what I should say.  His was an extraordinary and unique voice, and the thought that that voice is stilled is nigh unbearable.  And Steve was younger than me by ten years, really just hitting his stride — people younger than me shouldn’t die.  I’ll certainly have more to say about Steve, but the idea is just taking some time to get used to.  For now, Brian Murphy, Leo Grin, Damon Sasser and Charles Saunders have posted some initial thoughts.  Damon is planning a special tribute to Steve in the next issue of REH: Two-Gun Raconteur.  If you have stories or comments on Steve that you would like to share, go to his website and click on “Contact Us” to send him your contribution.