Rupe Beckstett

Bill and I did not know each other in high school.......different friends, different trajectories.  We somehow hooked up at the 50th reunion and shared a crazy sense of humor.  Bill lived alone in his house in Fairview.......and was no longer driving.  He walked six blocks to mass every day.  Between Joe Gierczak, Rick Brauning, and Tom Lawson, we made sure Bill had transportation to and from all of our reunion events including our reunions following the 50th.  Bill attended them all.  Bill was a veteran of combat in Viet Nam (Army) and used the VA for his health care needs.  I started driving him to his appointments sometime after our 50th reunion.  We always had a good time and our friendship grew.  We would always make a day of our VA visits.......including lunch (always arguing over who had the honor of buying lunch......"my turn"....."no, my turn!  You got the last one!"  We often stopped at Huntington Beach where Bill would take his hiking stick and head off down the (thousand ?) steps, walk the beach to the other end, and hike back up.  I always brought a book and waited in the car (knee issues).  We would sometimes run errands (grocery store, post office, drug store, watch band replacement, etc.), but we always found time to drive around, talk and laugh.  We would go thru "tangle town" in RR, cruise the valley, stop at Bradstreet Landing to check on the construction, and always drove Lake Road on the way to the Lorain VA..............always talking, reminiscing, and sharing stories.  I always looked forward to our time together.........I think it allowed us both to temporarily step away from our confining worlds of pressures and worries, and into a happy and carefree place.  Bill really enjoyed dining at "Jake's on Lake" where he was friends with the owner Jim.......we ate there countless times (I highly recommend it).  We also frequented KFC, Rustic, and others.  Our last lunch together was at Bearden's.  Some years ago, Bill sold his house in Fairview and moved to the Knickerbocker apartments in Bay Village.  It was adjacent to the Catholic church and only three blocks from his son, Nick...........perfect !  Bill continued to walk to mass every morning.  Son Nick was the primary caregiver and provided commendable care and oversite for Bill, while juggling his CPA position and family with very young children.  Bill's other children and his sister were also very involved and supportive.  Bill was very blessed in this regard.  

I like to think that Bill is looking down on us now.........with a thankful smile and a restored, clear memory.  I miss our phone calls.  I miss our shared stories, laughter, and camaraderie.  I miss our friendship.  

Rest in peace my friend.