Melvin Jay Swartz, 1930-2013

My friend  Mel Swartz died this morning just after midnight.  We knew this day was coming but today was much sooner than we expected.  Mel died at home over the past four days.  His son and daughter cared for him with hospice assistance.  Maggie and I helped out.  It is a humbling experience.  

Mel was a man of many talents.  He was a story-teller, pioneering lawyer in Phoenix, author, powder man on a blasting team, wild fire fighter and prospector, to name a few. In the face of cancer and other adversities in his later years, Mel never lost his sense of humor or optimism.

Most of all he was a good friend.  A man whose life enriched mine.

At the Friday vigil in Olympia, 2012

Godspeed, Mel.