RIP: David Stemple

[gerisullivan]

Again, I have occasion to quote elism: The problem with grief is that when it knocks, you're always home."

I regret to report that David Stemple died this afternoon. Jane Yolen wrote that the end was peaceful; she and Adam Stemple were at David's bedside, with Adam playing “Jamie Across the Water,” a favorite of David's (and one that he's asked to be played at his memorial service).

Services are Tuesday, March 28th. Please drop me a note for specifics as needed/desired. nesfan and I plan to be there.

I'm relieved that David's free following his long ordeal with cancer, but mostly I grieve for him, his entire family, and oh so many friends near and far.

David wanted any memorial gifts to go either to Mass. Audubon or to the Library of Natural Sounds at Cornell University. (The latter has changed its name to Macaulay Library in conjunction with their expansion into video recordings.)

I'm going to listen to some bird calls now. My heart is with Jane, her and David's children and grandchildren, and all others who hold David's memory in theirs.

Comments

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

May the bird calls bring you some lightness in your heart...

[mrsmodew.livejournal.com]

I got to spend some time with him while watching the kids a few times. He was really neat. At least the suffering has ended.

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

I met David a couple times on visits some years ago. He was a great guy.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

My sympathies *hug*

After going through the same kind of thing

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

not too way long ago with my father, I wept when i found out. I so relate to Jane. And I'm not sure what I'd do without my Jim, and that enters into the empathy equation as well. On one hand David's not in pain any more, and but on the other, no one is EVER ready for the loss. No matter how much it's expected.