In Memorium Lockwood Lyon
When I picked up the mail this morning I smiled.
Nestled between the pizza flyer and a catalogue was a letter from my good friend Lockwood.
I thought, “Oh great. Lock has sent his Christmas missive early.”
I eagerly ripped open the envelope and took out the paper — and then stopped smiling. The first words I read were, “It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Lockwood Lyon.”
I froze in place. Gob smacked!
Read some more.
And then the sadness, grief hit. And, for the next 15 minutes I sobbed uncontrollably. My cat was upset by my crying. I had to boot her into the basement so I could read a bit, cry a lot, read a bit, and cry some more.
FUCK!
I last spoke with Lock last Christmas. It was my ritual to call him near year end to check in and see how he was doing. Last time I called he was doing well. Though in a wheelchair he was full of energy and ideas. He was delighted that he had shed 100 pounds and was feeling great.
Shortly after talking with him I received a Christmas card from him that was so neat I kept it on top of my monitor. Then a few weeks ago I took it down. Hmm! I can’t remember when exactly. But, it was, I believe, shortly after his death October 5th.
I miss him so, so much.
His obituary describes him as a contrarian. I prefer eclectic: He loved clowns and clowning. He enjoyed magic and taught his 4 sons card tricks. He read widely — histories, philosophy, and the classics. In his later years he took up rug braiding and developed a new method of monitoring caloric intake — and lost 100 lbs.
I met Lock when I was, like him, a student in the MSOD program at Pepperdine. He was 63! I 39! I loved him like a father. I think in me he saw another son… maybe. In our Memory Book he wrote this, “Lyle, thank you for your kindness and special friendship. This has been a great experience. Let’s agree to keep in close touch.”
In the end we spoke once a year. But, after the first5 years or so years went by without conversation or sporadic letters.
I am so glad I made the effort I did to keep in touch.
LOCK, I miss your jokes, your shy smile, your great big heart, and your warmth.
Rest in Peace my dear one!
Dear Mr. Lachmuth,
My thanks for your kind comments regarding our father, Lockwood Lyon.
Due to who-knows-what family pressure, I was born Lockwood Lyon II. After dealing with that, the rest of my life really posed no insoluble problems
It was interesting to watch Dad change in his retirement years, as he went different directions, and took on new challenges. As with most of us (I suspect), he accomplished a great deal, while leaving lots of unfinished projects “in progress”. His soujourn to Pepperdine was “One of the best things I ever did,” he would tell us. Then he’d bring out the memory book and show us all of his newly-found friends. No doubt, he pointed out Your picture at these times !
At any rate, again my thanks. Glad that you got to meet Lock Sr. He will be remembered fondly by everyone.
- LL