Requiem For A Friend
By Wyatt Earp | January 7, 2010
My frequent commenter, fellow Penguins fan and blog friend Right Wing Prof lost his battle with cancer this morning. Xopher posted this comment on the Prof’s blog:
My beloved companion and dearest friend fell asleep in the Lord at 1:45 this morning, after a short struggle against an overwhelming foe, with the sweet acceptance that has characterized his gallant witness through this entire ordeal.
His brother Jan, sister-in-law Phyllis, and I were holding his hands at the moment of death.
It is no great understatement that the news is devastating.
I first met Clay Bond in person on July 23, 2007, when a few of us – including Sebastian and Bitter – met at Geno’s Steaks for lunch. I almost missed the opportunity. You know how you sometimes have a mental picture of someone that is completely different from the real picture? Well, that was the case that day. I had never seen a photo of the Prof before, and while I was walking around Geno’s looking for him, I walked right by without even knowing it. After searching for a bit, I decided that I would just go to the car and hope for the best. Thankfully, he and Sebastian saw me and flagged me down. I’m glad they did.
Clay was the exact opposite of what I expected. I pictured a tweed jacket with patches on the sleeves, flawlessly coiffed hair, and the perfect manicure. Instead, I got facial hair, tattoos, and more gun knowledge than more Marines.
Thankfully, I got the latter.
That day at Geno’s is one that I will always remember. The four of us talked and laughed for a few hours, and Clay gave me a parting gift: Season 1 of Sleeper Cell on DVD. I was very appreciative, but Clay dismissed it as nothing. That is the kind of person Clay Bond was. Thoughtful, kind, and selfless.
In the two and a half years since, we e-mailed each other frequently, discussing the Penn State/Michigan rivalry, the Steelers, politics, and the occasional link to a good news story for each others’ blogs. About a year ago, he asked me why I was such a big hockey fan. I used that as an opening to really expose him to the sport. Clay took in a few Penn State games and started following one of my favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins. I would beam with pride when he would send me an e-mail talking about “that awesome game” Sidney Crosby had. While Indiana basketball and Steelers football were first in his sports heart, the Pens earned their place there as well.
He read SYLG often, and commented frequently – sometimes to my embarrassment. When I posted about my skin cancer, he seemed more concerned with my dinky little basal cell issue than his own battle with lung cancer. Again, selfless.
I never posted about this, but I drove out to see Clay on November 20. It was something I simply had to do, and I am glad I did. When I walked into his room, he looked at me and smiled. Pointing to his dry erase board, I saw a list of visitors for the day. There were a few names there, and at the bottom of the list was a large WYATT! It was enough to make me well up.
After we exchanged pleasantries, he asked me, “Wyatt, why the hell did you drive all the way out here?” I looked at him and realized that he was serious. He thought I was insane. Instead of getting all emotional, I went into sarcastic mode and replied, “I’m here to kick your ass out of bed, and if you don’t beat this soon, I’m bringing the SWAT team, MP-5s and flash-bangs.”
I was fortunate enough to spend four hours with him and his son – a terrific person, by the way. I also met Father Alexander, the man who brought Clay back to the Orthodox Church and a few of Clay’s caregivers. When it was time to go, I told him that he better keep fighting, and I would try to visit again soon. Sadly, I will not get the chance.
The drive home was a sad one. I cried for a while and was only comforted by the fact that Clay’s faith kept him strong. He had a terrific support system and was surrounded by family and friends until the end. I am confident that he is with God now.
I apologize of this post is all over the place, but I’m just in stream-of-consciousness mode. In honor of Clay Bond, the Right Wing Prof, there will be no other posts today.
Topics: Cancer | 37 Comments »
I’m so sorry.
Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
These are always hard to hear or read about.
Nicely done too.
[...] of blog visits today. So it was a bit of a startle to get an email trackback from Wyatt titled Requiem for a Friend. I immediately [...]
Sorry to hear man. It’s been a tough couple of months. RIP Prof.
Wyatt, you memorialized the Prof honorably. He was lucky to have you as a friend.
My condolences to his family and friends; may he rest in peace.
I’m very truly sorry – Godspeed Professor.
While we initially morn the loss, we eventually celebrate the gain from having experienced the wonderful people in our lives. The journey from mourning to celebrating differs from person to person, here’s to a short journey.
Jason
Well written Wyatt… you have my deepest condolences.
-Sully
Wyatt, my sincerest condolences.
My family’s prayers are with his family and friends.
What a beautiful way to pay tribute to your friend. I am so sorry for your loss, Wyatt. I will be praying that your heart will be comforted as well as Prof’s family.
My condolences and continued prayers for his family.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of such a great man, Wyatt.
Be thankful you met such a man and was a friend of his. People come into our lives, some leave lasting impressions, such as Clay did in your life.
Take comfort in his memories and your conversations.
R.I.P. Clay. I wished I had met you.
Thank you, everyone. If I may preach here for a second, Clay died of lung cancer. If you smoke, or know someone who smokes, please get them to stop. It’s just not worth it.
/sermon.
Wyatt, don’t worry about your post, when you lose a real friend it is like part of yourself. It was a good post and I pray the prof is teaching and learning in a better world.
My sympathy on your loss and my prayers go out to his family and friends.
I lost my dad to lung cancer. Nasty stuff, that.
Very sorry for your loss.
I am sorry to hear of your tremendous loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
It is comforting to know that he was surrounded by love when he passed. He was quite brave and selfless to share his last few months with us on his blog.
I’m sorry so many who loved him now face face the pain of his loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. Words are not much comfort right now. However, know that I am praying for you and for his family. (((hugs)))
:-/ Godspeed, Prof…
RIP.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. My condolences to Clays family and friends.
I am sad to hear of the Professor’s passing.
I will pray for his family.
Nuff said…….
I so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to you.
My sympathies to you and his family and friends.
May Clay Marc Bond’s memory be eternal.
Thank you again, folks. As you can imagine, it’s been a pretty bad couple of days.
Thoughts and prayers for the family. RIP Clay.
Condolences from our family to both yours and his.
[...] the past week, we’ve lost two good people in the gun community: rightwingprof and Byron Quick. I’ve never met either one of them, but I did know of them, and it’s [...]
Wyatt, I didn’t see this at the time. I am lonely for his ‘voice,’ since Right Wing Nation vaporized, and found this, today. He treasured your friendship, and your visit meant a lot to him. And thank you for your role in getting him interested in hockey, probably his last new enthusiasm! I wore his Penguins cap this morning, out gardening.
Xopher – I was glad he enjoyed the sports, and even more glad he followd the Pens – one of my favorite teams. I miss him, too, and am glad he is now in a much better place.
[...] the cancer issue. I underwent surgery to remove basal cell cancer from my forehead in November, and lost a good friend to lung cancer in January. Every time I look at this blog, I think about the disease that destroyed [...]