From Davidya Kasperzyk, September 1, 2021:

obit phil kreitner (impossible)

my self categorized Hulkus Simplimus Organica

a self unto his own. remain in peace dear brother

My PK short course began near May 1, 1977

we left Ann Arbor quickly

in a microHonda hatchback

having both completed our academic year

the Pacific NW our destiny

72 hours later

I found myself in an ursus nature prowling

roadside near Salem

tasting my first PNW landscape

inhaling phil’s intensity for those

three days confirmed the physical force

within the man

as well as a pure set of characteristics

mirth. intellect. obsession. and heart!

a great and unique fellow

we were never together in the flesh again

but many times a year

I would hear a story. be in a moment in a particular habitat

or remember HIM

and I would always chuckle

A poem sent by my dear friend Cathy Jordan; I usually am not much of a poetry lover but this moved me. According to Cathy, she found the poem on the web, with attribution to Cindy Null:

I know who I am though I am not the person I used to be.

I know where I am from though I don't remember where I was yesterday.

From what I have been told I am headed out on a journey and I really can't comprehend why.

Little to do I know this journey will last my lifetime.

I don't need to pack for this journey, so they tell me that all I need is the love and support of my family.

I heard the journey is mostly up hill, that there are twists and turns, with no turning back, bridges to cross, that at times my family will end up carrying me and that I will never return.

My family is making this journey with me until our paths do part and as they encourage me to take flight into the light, above, I will leave loving my family as much as they each love me and I will live on in their hearts and in their memories.

I first met Phil in a class we both were in - the National Environmental Policy Act in the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources. The Act had just passed so much of the class was the evolving policy that led us to its creation. There were maybe 15 of us in the class. Needless to say, Phil was the most vocal. At first it seemed a bit annoying that he always had something to say - but he indeed always had something to say that was thoughtful and came from experience. Experience was something most of the rest of us lacked.

He/we resurfaced in the Cambridge area of MA around the food co-op and other political things. I think we got to know him best through his massage work. I was an avid gardener and Phil was an avid eater, so we always had a good meeting of the minds. It was a joy to feed Phil, only we never had any leftovers. I would save some conversations for Phil's visit. If it was sensitive, it was never brought up during a massage or it would be too rigorous. That was dinner conversation.

Thank you, Sherril, for ushering him out of life in such a caring manner. The world will miss him.

Phil graduated ahead of me so I didn't meet him until an advocacy program reunion when  I got my first Phil massage.   Dan and I were on Phil's massage route for years. The energy in the house went up many notches  when Phil showed up.  We spoke a lot about his diagnosis and his amazing acceptance. The last time he showed up, he said he made it to our house a bit by intuition because he had mixed up the directions, which was scary to me (of course, not him). Sherrill, I hope this memory is a bit of a digital hug. 

I'm very sorry to hear of Phil's passing but glad we gad the opportunity to meet 10 years ago when I was writing an article for CNN about Alzheimer's. I was really struck by how passionate he was about participating in clinical trials for cognitive impairment. It's rare that you hear from the people who believe so strongly in science that they are willing to sign up for experimental studies like this. New drugs and vaccines cannot move forward without them. I wish that there were more effective treatments for this terrible condition, which also took my grandmother in 2007. But I am grateful that we connected and feel honored that the article continues to be shared.

May his memory be a blessing.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALT…