Susan and boys-- We didn't know Abe well, but we always enjoyed talking with him and he seemed like a great guy. We are so, so sorry for your loss.

Bob and Vicki

Abe, the first time we talked,  you approached me and said "we both seem to be here (kid museum) a lot." Our friendship just went from there.  We'd talk while our kids played at the museum. Billy and Rohn.  Joey and Juniper. Vesper floating around. **

The first time we hung out outside of the museum,  I was in charge of the 5 kids while you worked on your house and listened to Justin Bieber.  I was confused. Here's this guy,  tatted up, skateboards and listens to Bieber? You just said they had great beats. 

Anyway,  it was like that.  You did you while my anxiety and I herded kids. I was always trying to be more like you: relaxed, trusting the kids to learn as they go. 

Like our first playground visit. 

Billy and Rohn were running around when I heard crying.  They'd decided to punch each other; Rohn went first. Billy went down. If it had been the other way around,  I would've been pissed while trying to keep my cool.  Not you. You just calmly looked at Billy and told him to go first next time.

From there,  we just hung out, talked,  watched kids play. You'd play music.  It was easy...mostly. 

Our families blended. We were there for each other for emergencies or just a date night. We went to Apple Butter. FloydFest, getting Christmas trees, playing at the river, other kid museums. You buried our dog when we just couldn't. 

And,  yes,  our friendship fell out. Covid meant we didn't fix it. 

I pulled away. I needed space because my life got harder. It didn't mean your friendship wasn't held dear to my heart.  We just needed to take time for a really good talk where we got out our annoyances with each other. (Would you have even done that or just listened to me, accepted fault where deserved,  and not said a damn word about where I needed correction?) 

And damn, I was so close to asking for that conversation.

You were a great friend. You were a listening ear and calm acceptance. 

You were you and that is all you ever needed to be. 

I fucking miss you.

** in the spirit of Abe's opennessabout mental health,  I will admit,  without his friendship, I would've sank because I was so close to having a mental breakdown when he gave me his friendship. 

Deepest condolences to you and your family 

During this time. We lift you all up in our prayers ! 

We are so saddened to hear this news. Thinking of you all. 

Sean and Finn Manning 

Love you all. So sorry for this tremendous loss.

Courtney & Tom

Not only was Abe an amazing father, he supported other stay home dads, including my kids' dad when Linden was a baby in Ithaca. Being a stay at home dad is an especially tough job but I was always amazed how easy Abe made it look.

What a delight it was for us to find Abe and his wife Susan Whitehead in Blacksburg, a couple years later. Abe rekindled our family relationship, and due to that (and some work connections), Susan has become one of my best friends and their children my kids' favorite video game and Nerf gun pals. 

Abe always amused me with his wit and impressed me with his passion for causes. Fitting that his memorial fund is dedicated to supporting one of those causes and also his children's education.