I did not know Phil Wintermute very well but I considered him a friend. Sometimes that just happens. We didn’t spend a lot of time together but I always enjoyed his company and his music.
I met Phil a few years ago when I was managing the showroom at Elderly Intruments. He applied for a sales job and I hired him. It was nice to have a true folkie working in the showroom.
Not long after hiring him, by complete coincidence, Phil realized that my wife and I now live in the house his best friend since kindergarten grew up in. Phil came over and told us about the history of our property, what had been there in the past and what had changed. He remembered the fireplace being built in the 1950’s.
Phil asked if he could dig up some violets from our yard to bring to his friend who had planted them on Mother’s day when he was a kid. The violets had migrated to a completely different place in the yard.
Though I did not know Phil well I sensed he was someone that stood by his prinicpals and lived the life he felt he should be living. Such a life is noble but not always easy. I respect him for doing that.
Today I heard that Phil hadn’t shown up for work for two days and he hadn’t called anyone. Someone from Elderly went to his house to check on him and found him in his bed. I hope and trust it was a gentle and easy passing.
You can listen to some of Phil’s music on his MySpace page.
‘…he was someone that stood by his prinicpals and lived the life he felt he should be living. Such a life is noble but not always easy.’
That was very well put and something we should all strive for.
k
@kris campbell –
Thanks Kris