My old neighbor Rich died last night. My mom emailed me the news and I called his wife to give condolences. I really liked him a lot, and wasn't able to hold back tears on the phone with her even with my NT will against show of public emotion ;) (I was amused at the wedding when someone commented to me amazement at how I did not cry during the ceremony ;)

My old neighborhood was mostly retired: only about 25% of the families had children ages K - 12, and the area I was in was most entirely urban sprawl. Rich and his wife invited the local kids over to his home. We could show up any time unannounced, to play with the basketball hoop, stilts, ping pong tables, computer and watch movies. A lot of my more fond middle school memories are from his home. Rich really loved having the kids around. He loved to talk too ;) I didn't always want to listen, but I learned a lot from him.

In good atheist INTP form, he has requested not to have a funeral, and to be remembered happily and acceptingly as the way he was. I never knew he was an atheist as a kid, he told me when I told him that I was, in my early twenties. He loved people and was not into offending them although he did like to be a little "eccentric" and to plant a few "wild ideas" in the minds of young people ;) I think we had a special understanding and mutual admiration. It was good to hear from his wife and daughter about how highly he spoke of me and how much he enjoyed all of us kids. I'm glad that the daughter is there to take care of his wife. She's a wonderful, sweet person as well and I'm glad that she still has someone. Watching their dynamic makes me appreciate family more.