DearFriends and Colleagues, My dearBob passed away today, Monday, August 13. On July11 I enrolled him in Hospice at Home, due to his increasing symptoms from (possibly)Lewy Body dementia and I cared for him since then. Last Sunday morning heawoke with extreme difficulties. The Hospice nurse came and felt he probably hada 'neurological event' the Saturday evening before, perhaps whilesleeping. She took him to the Venice Hospice House at 6pm thatnight. Ivisited him 90 minutes later. He was very calm but not very responsive. I sharedmy reflections as I showed him 4 photos -- his parents, his brothers Neil andDenny, our doxies Star and Matilda and finally Bob and me. I also read twopoems I had written (about the dogs!) and a love letter highlighting andthanking him for the special times we shared as a team in our community service/civilrights efforts, followed by our strategic planning consulting, and finally in ourvarious nature adventures. We had had these discussions before and had agreedthat history had given us a fine ride! – and that hopefully we made the world alittle better. He died peacefully 5hours later, 1:30 am, early Monday morning. I’mgrateful for the wonderful life and marriage we had. I could ask for nomore. Our home was one of peace, love, respect, creative planning and always inanticipation of our next birding or butterflying adventure. He was always kind to others and was aterrific partner in our life work together! Manyof you, our colleagues over the years, wrote letters to him or telephoned himin the past 10 days. He was so pleased to hear from you and I’m gratefulthat you reached out to us. You shared your appreciation of his life andbrought us great joy. Mysister, Cecily, has been with me for 2 days and as an R.N. has given meguidance during this journey. Other friends locally have compassionatelyreached out to me. Bobhas donated his brain to the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank to bothconfirm (or not) the diagnosis and to contribute to their research. We will be spreading his ashes in ourButterfly Garden and the Gulf of Mexico where he proudly completed 990 SCUBA dives to collect hundreds ofvertebrate fossils. Grace and Peace, Cynthia facilitationfla@aol.com 941-483-9165