Yet another ~ He passed away the afternoon of June 21, 2008

R.I.P. ~ yes another group on Facebook for their friend ~

They speak of him on facebook with shock, love and memories ~ I am finding facebook to be a wonderful place for those to memorialize & grieve for their friend.

"He was probably one of the most amazing, compassionate and nicest guys I've come across with in my life. It's hard to swallow the fact that he's gone, but he is in a better place now.. a much better place now.

Although this is a heartbreaking thing to have happened, along with mourning we should celebrate. Celebrate the life the life he lead. All the good times, and the funny things he would always say and do. If you knew him, or even encountered a moment with him, you know exactly what I'm talking about."

I don't quite know how many have succumbed to this terrible tragedy in our area - but it is many this past year.

I think of all of you with love and with hope that you are healing together in what I call "heaven"

Rock on Guys ~

Stevenson High School Lake County Coroner Speaks

I spoke with a group of 40 students at Stevenson High School yesterday. I told them about what the Coroner and his “Office” does (in some detail, I had an hour and 15 minutes). Who we are in our office and what we do (often a bit more than is done in other coroner offices). I answered a number of questions. We discussed causes of death, manners of death (natural, accident, suicide, homicide and undetermined), ways of identification, post-mortem entomology, all manners of stuff “coroner”.

It was a bit tricky because the instructors had already written the test questions based on my talks the last 2 years and I don’t talk from notes, so I can’t necessarily guaranty repetition of all the material from one year to the next. I was prompted to cover an entomology point by a question from one of the instructors, so I must have got the other material, thankfully for the test-takers.

Most importantly, at times hopefully cleverly and at times blatantly, I peppered my talk (as I always do) with tips and reminders useful in their forestalling death. Honest warnings about drugs, recommendations about making good choices and not taking chances.

Interesting, informative, cautionary, I do my best. Besides, as I told them, giving those types talks are my favorite part of the job.

What a great man~