Ode to Harvey

[john elder]

ODE TO HARVEY
( I suspect this will evolve, but I thought I'd make a start..feel free to send me things you'd like to add, short or long)

I never met old Harvey,
But I knew him well...
Well, actually, I never knew him well...
.. only unwell.
..and he wasn't old.
Weed got him... and much too young

He was good Hoosier stock and we had much in common,
We shared the same disgust with politics...or if we didn't, he covered well.
We probably stood within 100 yds of one another at Indy
before we ever knew each other existed.
I like to think one of the better things we shared was a sense of humor
and an ability to give and to take..a joke.

He didn't hold back much with his opinions..and they were many,
But he didn't ram you with them til you bled, either.
A good heart
A good man.


And if he is reading this over my shoulder, he is probably about to puke.
He wasn't much for coddling and sympathy...screw him...he gets it anyway.
So, deal with it Harvey...we miss you.

(Add from Robyn S):

[Reel Geezer]

John: You may never have met Harvey, but you knew him well. Marilyn and I believe that your "Ode to Harvey" is the best tribute that has been posted to this site.

Thank you, John. And Harvey, we'll miss you.

Phil & Marilyn White

[Jim Wiegner]

John:

Like you, I never had the pleasure of meeting Harvey in person. Came close this spring, however plans to attend the Lake George National took a back seat to a family affair with our daughter and her family in Germany. One of the truly neat posts I enjoyed a few years ago was reading comments between you, Harvey, Jim Madden (and please forgive my poor memory if I've left any other native Hoosiers out) telling of your upbringing in your home state. While I've not visited Indiana, I'm certainly familiar with the great racing tradition, some pretty good basketball teams, and yes...that great university in South Bend.

But just reading the interplay amoung you folks gave me a mental image...much like listening to old time radio programs before we had television...of what your young lives were like. Made me a bit envious that I wasn't there with you. Good memories.

Phil and Marilyn make a good point. I do look forward to the day (as Len stated so well) when we can all meet and go out and harass the fish...and one another...together.

Jim

[RAM]

A few lines added to our "Ode to Harvey"

We are more than mere fellow collectors of things of antiquity.
We are friends who help when asked,
Fellow humans who know love and pain and loss,
And we miss our friends when they leave us.

Where we journey from this life we cannot say,
But we hope for a place of peace and comfort and
Glorius reunions with all we have met and loved.
Harv, you knew love and pain and we know loss.

Rest well in your new home, but not too long.
There are fish to catch in your emerald sea,
And before you can blink we may be there too.
Please put in a word for me for a great smallmouth creek!

Your friend, Bad Bob

[Jim Madden]

Acrostic Poem for Harvey

Heart of gold 'neath cantankerous grin,
Calling him genuine doesn't begin.
A gift in the mail for the unsuspecting,
Not a thing in return was he expecting.
Rare is the soul who could brighten your day,
With humor and wisdom and stories relayed.
Vast wealth of a Shakespeare was his dominion,
But the man was the treasure in my opinion.
Every head is now bowed from the ORCAN ranks,
For you, dear brother, we give our thanks.
You showed us the measure of being a friend,
A gift you kept giving till your untimely end.

[john elder]

thanks for the great adds, guys...

[john elder]

I can't remember the exact date, but this is close enough..Milt and I were thinking about Harvey...thought it was worth a replay on the anniversary.

[Brian F.]

Thank you John.

[Jack Bright]

A poet I`m not nor do I try to be.
I first met harvey at FATC in `02
He was friendly and most helpful,
I had just stumbled onto a W.S Jr.
50 yd. Precision, he just gasped at
my dumb luck. We shared a few
moments at each ORCA Nat`l after
that. I truly enjoyed his sarcastic
sense of humor. We`ll miss him
for quite a while ORCANs need more
like him, rest in piece Harv. --- Jack