The passing of a friend

Interesting. (and certainly not planned) Carol and I both have blogs about the death of some one who had been a part of our lives. My blog is of someone I'd worked with, although I always thought of him as a friend more than a work colleague. Dave Austin, 56 years young. (he wasn't a cop) I first new Dave from when I'd respond to calls for service at the Hilton Hotel beginning in 1975, usually a crime report was needed and or a suspect was in custody from some dastardly deed ~ purse snatch, room burglary, prowling, fighting, trespassing, gambling/slot cheat, unauthorized signing of credit card document, attempt auto burglary or theft, defrauding an inn keeper, or a myriad of other crimes. You think of it, the Hilton drew them. Dave was the security department's swing shift lieutenant then, me a rookie cop. I grew to respect Dave and his professionalism. He was always there to meet me, fill me in on the details, escort me to the security office, (sometimes offer me dinner at the employee dinning room first) and ensure I had all I needed to do my job. It was like I was an invited guest in his home, he took the responsibility seriously. He later transferred to the MGM as security director where we worked together again via my stint in special events and or my duties on patrol again. I could go months without talking to him and not miss a beat in our casual but respecting attitude towards each other when we did see each other or talk on the phone. We were both ring-side the night Mike Tyson bit Holyfield' ear. We watched professional bull riders, us grimacing and laughing at the pain the riders took. We stood side by side watching Tina Turner, Cher, Kiss, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, indoor moto-cross, numerous boxing events, and more stage performers than I can remember. Oddly, just last month I'd told myself I needed to call him and catch up on old times. He also drank Coca Cola and never Pepsi. I never did....
Today I heard of his death. I called and spoke to a another friend who was Dave's assistant. I learned that he had serious cancer but he had told no one. Not his family - including his wife - or his fellow workers. My first thought was how brave he was to face a terminal illness alone like that. No one but he could prepare him for what he knew was the finality of it. I wondered if I could do that. He must have had a good reason for keeping it to himself, I can respect that.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=david-austin&pid=135058329