I met John Fast on August 21st, 2010.
Beginning on the banks of the ancient Susquehanna River in the valley of Wyoming, we walked a few hundred yards together, and then met up several hours later at Gas Stock at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds.
Over the ensuing years, we kept in touch via messages, blog comments and an occasional phone call.
I shall miss John's corporeal presence on this little blue dot in the cosmos...and yet, far more remains.
Until we meet again...Slán leat.
Known but to two, I have redacted a portion of the comment below made by a longtime friend of John. What you read is verbatim of what remains.
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I so share your sentiments.
John doled out friendship, for all his generosity, parsimoniously...it truly meant something of honor to be among that somewhat unpopulated sanctum.
He was cautiously secretive------knowing all too well how evil and potentially vindictive humankind and its governance was and could be.
John told me that day at Gasstock of having met you, having walked and talked briefly, and that he was impressed --- that itself is high compliment. I think that you were a literate fellow blogger with some mad computer skills, not to mention an antiestablishmentarian of his own ilk created an instant rapport.
John respected people who walked the talk.
He abhorred those whose rhetoric harmed.
He wanted to live as clean as possible with that in mind.
He loved your writing, Don, and your adamance on speaking at all time as truthfully as humanly possible....for of all the things could be said about our mutual friend, it was that he sought and revered truth as much as anyone I have ever met.
My occasional contact for 50+ years: from living as roommates in hippy days in CA to reconnection and multiple (intermittent) exchanged communications over the last decades.....I miss John, his wit and laugh and being.
And, it was very good to have met you, DJW, though briefly, yesterday. Thanks again for speaking publicly of John's environmental passion, his heart's advocacy.
Thank you, RC. You have breathed new life into a long smoldering fire.
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