October 5, 2011 – 10 years ago today — three people died whom I would like us to remember for the significant contributions each made to our world. One local. One national. One global.
Local: Robbie Gast, one of the founding members of The Fat & Skinny Tire Festival, died tragically in a late-night, motorcycle-deer collision. Robbie advocated for the local bicycling community working at Trailhouse and Tarkio Road. He helped maintain the Winona Lake trails that so many enjoy a decade after his death. I seldom walk the trails without thinking of Robbie and thanking him for the work he did in this community to advance outdoor recreation. It’s not hard to imagine all that the trail system would have gained and how much we all lost by the loss of his life at the age of 34. Robbie Gast. When you are on the trails in the near future take a look up at the colorful, autumn leaves. Maybe, just maybe, you will see something resembling Robbie’s wide-as-the-sky, robust, ebullient, effervescent smile. If you are anything like me, there’s a good chance a smile will already by on your face for the space he helped make possible for you to tread or bike. Remember Robbie Gast.
National: Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, stalwart champion of civil rights in this country, died at the age of 89. Rev. Shuttlesworth committed his life to confronting and overcoming racial injustice in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the bombing of his house with him in it, the bombing of his church, multiple physical attacks against him, and constant death threats to his family and him, Rev. Shuttlesworth stood up, often single-handedly, to racism’s hatred. Rev. Shuttlesworth lived to “kill segregation or be killed by it.” It was Fred Shuttlesworth who withstood being beaten with club and chains, baseball bats and brass knuckles in 1957 when he accompanied his children to a white school. It was Fred Shuttlesworth who offered refuge to bludgeoned Freedom Riders in 1961 as they sought to sit side-by-side on interstate buses. It was Fred Shuttlesworth who invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963 to defeat firehoses and police dogs when the firehoses spewed antagonism and the dogs attacked children. Rev. Shuttlesworth changed this country for the better by nonviolently resisting and overcoming horrific violence against him and people of color. If your life has been enriched by interracial relationships, consider thinking of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth today. He helped advance the possibility of those relationships. Remember Fred Shuttlesworth.
Global: Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, died of pancreatic cancer at age 56. Jobs brought ease of use to computing and developed the Mac computer, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Whether you are a fan of Apple products or not, if you own a smartphone of any brand, Steve Jobs is the reason you do. Remember Steve Jobs.
Robbie Gast. Fred Shuttlesworth. Steve Jobs. October 5, 2011. Gratitude abundant.
Richard Rooker
Warsaw, via email
Editor’s Note: The above letter was not submitted in time for the Oct. 5 Times-Union.
