[at-l] FW: Ed Garvey, 1914-1999

["Beau Bushor" <mail2beau@adelphia.net>]

I received this message from Bill O'Brien ALDHA President and thought the
non members of ALDHA on the list might be interested.  I met Ed and spent
some time with him at the Gathering one year.  He was an amazing person.

See you at the Gathering - East,

Beau Bushor N1MJD
      "bleeder guy"

Backpacking coming events:
There will be loads of backpacking activities including special guest
speakers, trail slide shows, presentations, equipment reviews, used
equipment sales and lots of just plain fun.
**ALDHA - East "Gathering 99", October 8, 9, 10, 11 (Columbus Day weekend)
in Hanover, NH; http://www.aldha.org
**ALDHA - West "Gathering 99", October 1 - 3, At the Mazama Lodge, Mt Hood,
Oregon; http://www.gorp.com/nonprof/aldhaw/


-----Original Message-----
From:	ALDHA [mailto:aldha@aldha.org]
Sent:	Tuesday, September 21, 1999 3:48 PM
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mala17@hotmail.com; mail2beau@adelphia.net
Subject:	Ed Garvey, 1914-1999

Sept. 21, 1999

To fellow members of ALDHA,
I have some very sad news to send along for every person in the Trail
Community. Ed Garvey passed away around noon on Monday in Falls Church,
Virginia.
He had taken a walk just the day before, in weather that he would call
absolutely gorgeous and in spirits that he would describe as absolutely
glorious, considering the way his beloved Redskins played that day. But on
Monday, he suffered an apparent stroke and the end came very quickly. His
health had prevented him during the past year from attending many of the
events that he so dearly loved, including the ATC biennial meeting and last
year's Gathering, where he was sorely missed.
He was a mentor to many of us and will remain an inspiration to future folks
on the Appalachian Trail. Anyone who met him received a hearty dose of good
will, and those whose only contact with him was from reading his books could
not escape the infectious, upbeat, positive attitude that was his nature.
Arguably, he may have single-handedly inspired more people to hike the
Appalachian Trail than anyone else in history.

He was a special friend of ALDHA, and we'll take time out during the
Gathering next month to remember him. In fact, I would like to dedicate our
fall weekend this year in honor of Ed Garvey. Tributes, stories, and
reflections will be welcome. Albie Pokrob commented today that Ed was always
tickled to hear a good story, especially if it was a humorous one involving
him. So bring them along to Hanover to share at the general meetings, around
the campfire, wherever hikers gather.
Services are set for Friday in Falls Church, and details will be posted on
the ALDHA Web page as soon as we receive them.

I have written a note to Mrs. Garvey and their daughters expressing my own
personal deep sense of loss. Ironically, I had just thanked him in my final
coordinator's report in the fall newsletter, an advance copy of which was
mailed to his home last week. Whether he saw it or not, I believe he knew
how highly he was regarded. Our last conversation was in July, on the eve of
my picking him up on the way to the ATC meeting in Radford. He called to say
that, acceding to his family's wishes, he thought it would be best to sit
that one out, the first ATC meeting in 35 years that he would have to miss.
When I hung up the phone, I realized the significance of that call.
So here's to a big heart, a sharp mind, a positive nature, and a great
spirit,
Bill O'Brien
ALDHA Coordinator


P.S. I know that other cards would be much appreciated and very appropriate.
They can be sent to the family at 1015 Parker St., Falls Church, VA 22046.

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