Note from Ryndi

http://www.eastoregonian.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=55&AdId=3262

This is an ad that I just ran in our local newspaper. I wanted to be sure you guys saw it as well. Just a drop in the ocean for the gratitude I have for you guys and W&L as a whole.
Thank you,
Ryndi

Catching up in LA

Travis and I were lucky enough to catch up in El Segundo last week (which is Spanish for big beers). It was good to share some stories and some tears. Travis seems to be doing as well as could be and I enjoyed the hospitality. I will say that his roommate put together an awesome T shirt remembering Bowe for the upcoming Hood to Coast race - Travis, my size is Large if you're wondering :)

I'm heading to Portland next week and looking forward to a side trip to Pendleton. After Ben and my inaugural trip out for the wedding, I think I'll stay away from the Rainbow room and Crabby's this time but I am looking forward to catching up with Ryndi and little Bowe. I will definitely post some pictures once I'm back.

As we move forward, I was wondering if anyone has a good idea for getting together on the East Coast sometime soon. With little Pfeifer arriving, it might be good to plan on somewhere within driving distance of Charlotte (anyone for Myrtle Beach?).

my tribute to Bowe

I feel terrible that it has taken me this long to respond to the news of Bowe's death. I have been incredibly busy with school and other work during the past few weeks, but have been following the updates closely. Ryan was a pledge brother of mine and a good friend. Even though we hadn't spoken in years, I did think of him regularly. I often think of the "freestyle" video we made on campus and wonder what happened to it. I think Bowe's obsession with "freestyle" (which is basically skateboarding without a skateboard for those who don't know) sums up Bowe in a way because it shows his creativity and his quirky, understated, hilarious sense of humor. What it doesn't show is his sincerity. He was the nicest guy I knew. He truly cared about others. He enjoyed his life, but he also wanted others to be able to enjoy their lives, too. He was quiet, but extremly intelligent, passionate, and dedicated.

As sad as this was for me, a person who hasn't seen Bowe in a long time, I can't imagine how hard it is on those closest to him, Ryndi, Vicki, Larry and the rest of his family. My sincerest condolences go out to all of you.

As a father of a 3-year-old girl and a second child due in November, it hit me especially hard to find out about the pregnancy. However, I find the birth of Ryan Jr. extremely comforting. All I hear about on the news is celebrated junkies having babies (ala Anna Nicole Smith (no relation), Brittney Spears and Nikki whoever). In the face of this self-centered hedonism it is really nice to know that a child was born to Ryan Bowe, because a child of Ryan's will have a sincerity, a humility, a self-sacrificing character that will help make the world of my children a place worth living. I might even hope that my children will be able to befriend Ryan Jr. at W&L. (Unfortunately, unlike Ryan Jr., my children will have to deny being related to me to get into W&L as my conduct at the University might have left a little to be desired.)

I was proud, but not suprised, to read of Ryan's accomplishments since he left W&L - he has done much for many people - but I think I am proudest to know he left us a little piece of himself behind, a little piece who I am sure will one day pick up where his dad left off.

I would like to do more than write about Bowe, but as a student who lacked the dedication of Bowe in college at W&L, I am now back in college and borrowing mucho dineros to support my family. I love the idea being discussed of the relay, but cannot afford the trip out there. If someone has an idea for a fundraiser in the southeastern area (I live in West Tennessee), I would be interested. With no training, I ran three miles at St. Jude 5k in Memphis last Dec. in 33 minutes (trying to keep pace with the 11-year-old I was running with was more difficult than expected), so I think I could run a sub-10 minute mile with a little practice (my H.S. x-country coach would be so proud). Anyway, I would love to help raise money since I don't have any at the moment to give; just let me know what I can do. I would love to help in any way possible.

I also want to say that it has been good seeing some other familiar names posting and emailing. I want to apologize to everyone for being such a loser and not keeping in touch with reality during my days at W&L or with any of you since.

May God bless you all,

The Smiths

Micah, Amy, Ella, and ?

More on Hood To Coast

Long story on the Hood to Coast (and relay races, in general) in today's NYT:

Turning a Beer Run Into a Relay Event

Assuming my balky back can hold up, I am in. Sounds like it would be absolutely incredible and a great way to honor R Bowe.

Hood to Coast Relay Team

Some of us have discussed putting together a team to run the Hood to Coast Relay next August, in honor of R. Bowe, and possibly with a fundraising aspect (through sponsorship of runners, e.g.). Ryan apparently first participated in this race when he was 12 years old, and it seems a fitting and fun way to pay some tribute to him, given that running had been and still was an important part of his daily life.

Hood to Coast (www.hoodtocoast.com) is a 200 mile race from Mt. Hood through Portland to the Oregon coast, run in 36 legs of 3.7 to 7.4 miles by teams of 8 to 12 runners. The race can last up to 31 hours (the cutoff time limit), and has been described as a “planes, trains and automobiles” kind of experience in which teams use vans to keep runners moving to the next stage, eating and sleeping on the fly.

Although the race is held on the last full weekend in August, registration begins in October and usually closes out on the first day (the race is one of the largest relays in the world, with a limit of 1,000 teams). Thus, we wanted to go ahead and put this idea out there to see if we can form a nucleus of interested runners. We would need a minimum of eight people for registration, although it is possible to add or substitute team members up until mid-August, so that commitment now is not absolutely binding. However, an entry fee of between $90-$135 per person (depending on the number of runners splitting the $1080 total entry fee) would have to be paid at registration. The entry fee is non-refundable by the race organizers, but clearly would be exchangeable among individuals subbing on or off the team before race day. Additional expenses for travel to Portland, outfitting two vans, etc. should also be considered.

If you have any interest in running Hood to Coast (or questions, etc.), leave a comment or contact me at markhamt9@yahoo.com, and we will go from there!

A Promise

While Ryan Bowe and I certainly shared our fair share of good times at W&L, I admit that I was not as close to him as many of you. Nonetheless, perhaps because I am a new father myself, or maybe because I have such great memories of all my friends from W&L, I cannot help but feel a deep responsibility to Bowe’s wife and new son.

I hereby make a promise to Bowe’s family and I know that all of you will join me in this promise: I will not forget my friend or his family. I will do whatever I can to ensure that they do not want for any of life’s necessities. It is all too easy to help once and satisfy your conscience. But whether it be remembering him on the coming anniversaries of his passing or in some other way, I pledge regularly to reaffirm my support for his family (whether financially, emotionally, or in whatever form they may need).

Bowe’s passing has been a tragedy, but it has also reminded us of the value of the friendships we formed at W&L. Your response to this tragedy has assured me of one thing: I am proud to call all of you my friends.

P.S. That is a very handsome boy you have there Ryndi - congratulations!

Baby Is Here!

I do not have the details at the moment, but I do have some photos to share courtesy of Travis Bowe. It appears that Ryan Parker Stuart Bowe arrived into the world healthy as can be!

UPDATE - The details courtesy of Travis:
Ryan Parker Stuart Bowe was born August 1, 2007 in Pendleton, Oregon.
7 pounds 8 ounces
20 inches long
4:40 pm
Mother Ryndi and baby doing great.