Pat, thanks so much for passing El's message along to all of us here.
I'm just so sorry to hear of Bill"s passing. I hadn't seen or spoken to Bill since his stroke several years ago, but the dozen or so years before that are filled with really wonderful memories of that fine man and his delightful wife El. I'd have to check my logbook but I believe it was 2003 or '04 that I had the good fortune to have been introduced to Bill and El. And Pat, neither of us will forget those light-hearted summer days at Wallace Island in 2004, with Bill and El, their son, and two young grandchildren joining the throng of C-Brat locals having great big fun. Was it Bill who took that photo of you and Austin leaping from the ten foot rock on the beach near the dock? Perhaps it was Patti. Either way, I'll never forget the sounds of laughter, his giggling grandchildren playing in my 16' Bambina like a couple of squirrels, or the trail walks the gang took after drying off and eating lunch.
Bill was such a learned man, and I used to pepper the Professor with questions about geology, and much else. He was so dang smart, had such an enviable sense of humor, and always saw the sunny side of life, the possible, the achievable. I'll never forget the birthday cards or emails he sent me. I still have them. They're tangible mementos from one of the finest individuals I've ever had the good fortune to have known .
My condolences to El and her family. I wish therm the very best.
