Tuesday, June 10, 2014
I know Mr. O was your father, but you will always be Mr. O to me. A part of me knew that last time I saw you at Lauren's was potentially the last time I would enjoy your company. Yet I didn't let you know how much you meant to me. I often look back with deep regret I wasn't able to make myself tell you that you helped mold me into the person I am today. For that I am sorry, and I hope you will forgive me.
You gave me the first real opportunity I had early on in my professional career. You trusted me to handle a critical function of your bootstrapped startup during the original Internet boom before bootstrap and startup became synonymous with one another. More importantly, I learned more about business and finance from you than during the myriad years I spent in college.
It wasn't just at the office where you took me under your wing. I'll never forget the conversations about life we shared over Diet Cokes at Park Pub and Wednesday Rib Nights at Obal's. It was a challenging period during my formative years, and you treated me like a son. I only once told you I loved you like a father, and I hope you knew it was genuine. Another legacy you left was making me really appreciate life and being thankful for all my family and friends without whom nothing would matter. My relationship with my parents continues to become even better, and I've told them many times how influential you were in making me a better man. They frequently ask about you to this day, and we will share hugs and tears in memory of you.
This is not the end. It's the beginning of our collective celebration of your life and the people you have positively influenced. We love you, Big Dave!
Love,
Ian
Sunday, June 8, 2014
