Good man. Sort of stout at 5′5″ and 220lbs, he had the broad chest and hard muscles of his upbringing. Farmer, handyman, electrician, plumber, we used to joke that his old F150 with topper looked like it was constantly driving uphill because he had every tool he’d ever owned in the back. He wasn’t yet 60.

He was pulling his neighbor’s car out of the snow with his tractor when the chain slipped. Going back to re-attach it he bent over to reach under the vehicle and never returned to an upright position. By the time the people in the car figured out this was abnormal, he was gone.

Paramedics arrived about an hour later. Remember where I’d said I was on my own once I was off the paved roads? I meant it.

Just as well, he’d have hated spending time in the hospital, and surely wouldn’t have wanted to waste away in a retirement home in his dotage. He died helping a neighbor, as fitting an epitaph as any for a man like him.

Going to miss him, and giving him the 1-finger-raised-from-the-steering-wheel wave when we passed on the road.

Folks, if you don’t yet know CPR, learn it. It takes 20 minutes of your life to learn, and may save the life of another.

Now if you’ll pardon me, while I can’t get to town for a bottle of whiskey I *am* going to raise a glass of Leinenkugel’s 1888 Bock to the stars and spill a little to remember a neighbor. It’s -38 tonight, and the plains seem more cold and lonely than before for some reason.

Aw heck, I might even have a second glass.

– Max

Snake, that was tacky of you – as usual.

Max, no matter – we can’t call you Southern, so you’re Northern (aka Yankee). I realize that we can’t all be Southern, so I make allowances. Try to stay warm, but please excuse me – I’m on a quest for my longjohns & cashmere socks to wear to work tomorrow.

and yes, despite the fact that your state, North or South, did not exist during the War of Southern Hubris… you are most assuredly a “Yankee” and therefore a winner… welcome … and keep warm. Best

We were admitted into the Union in 1889, you see…