Dwight, as a kid brother, seemed quite shy, but VERY eager to play at imaginative games...building forts, drawing strange pictures, creating cardboard control panels for our rocket ships. I was 10 when he was six. We grew up in the Yardville suburbs of Trenton, NJ on a street where every home seemed to be a different nationality. There was a woods and a lake (Grops Lake) nearby. There were also wonderful fields of grass and dirt and a stream. So, Dwight spent many days fishing and roaming and dreaming.
I am simply heart broken. My sweet friend has succumbed to the fate which we all have in common. He has left the planet and now I have the daunting task of living without his entertaining twist on the state of things. He and I used to joust daily. We wrestled with politics, TV, Movies, but we always agreed on a few things ... the wonder of the heavens, the grace of God, and the certainty that Love and Kindness would take us forward into the next dimension where we would all meet again. Dyt ... I miss you already but I will see you again. I love you. Rick
Dwight put the lie to the idea that people stuck in unglamourous jobs couldn't yet be a Leonardo Da Vinci.
Dwight educated himself Ray Bradbury style, working a custodial job in a university library. He vacuumed his carpets at the speed of sound and used the bought time to read voraciously on astronomy, rocketry and other subjects that fascinated him.
I met Dwight as a student at that university. We became fast friends. I think Dwight felt my unabashed love and respect for him. He was 12 years my senior and very talented. I'd been waiting all my life to meet someone like Dwight. I looked up to him. For his part, he welcomed me into his heart. From early on we trusted each other and we never broke that trust. I was 24. As life went one, I'd realize how rare a friend like Dwight would be. Almost 20 years later, I have lost my oldest friend.
I remember our last conversation very well. It was a good one, a special one. I was about to leave the country. Maybe I had a feeling. I don't know. We were saying things, important things. I was impressed by the strength of his spiritual views. I knew why we were friends that night. Had always known -- just learned it again.
He was an excellent painter with his own unique style yet very modest about his talents and quick to point out and praise superior work.
Dwight sang very well. He played a mean guitar. He knocked me out more than once with his musical power.
He was fearless/happy when pursuing Beauty.
He was a pious man.
He worshipped the memory of his deceased parents.
He was offended by the offensive.
We never had anything but encouraging words for each other. I was his good friend. It means so much to me to be able to say those words. I am heartbroken to lose him and I was not ready. I am not ready. Dwight - I left the country and I wasn't there to answer the last time you called. Please, please forgive me...
He knew painting and aviation. He could point a telescope anywhere, on any night.
Dwight loved Sammy.
He could build stuff and fix things.
Dwight was an American.
A few years ago, we tarred the roof of his house together on an autumn day, both of us up there with long, steel-handled rollers. Dwight kept saying, whatever you do, don't let your handle knock up against this wire, pointing to the electrical power wire leading to the house. We kept talking and working and about 10 minutes later, Dwight's handle hit the wire. I'll never forget the look on his face. Luckily, it was well-insulated and there was no shock, only the funny one on his face. The rest of the morning he kept exclaiming, "I shouldn't be here!" and laughing his delightful laugh. He lived the rest of the day (and how much farther I don't know) marvelling over that thought.
He always brought me UP. Never down. Not once.
And I'll remember him for never doing art for art's sake. Dwight was kind and I think he valued kindness and friendship a lot more than art. The fact that Dwight nevertheless excelled in art says a lot about his character.
For Dwight was chasing true Beauty - the kind that shows respect for the source of all Beauty.
I love him. I shall always miss him. I will see him, fragments of images, moments, flickers and smiles, in my mind in the years to come . . .
Dwight, you exquisite, kindhearted gentleman: I know where you are. You are in my heart, you are with God, enveloped in love. You found the place where your acts of beauty resonate forever and are returned a thousand fold. And one day we'll meet there and you'll show me what you've been working on . . .
I had all of Dwights pics, audio tapes, CDs, and VHS shipped to me. In the coming weeks and months I'll sort through it all and post many things to this site!
108......... Somewhere back in the late 70's Dwight told me over the phone and then when I visted that the numbere 108 was appearing in many unusual places, all good, not bad. I too started seeing 108's, he probably was comunicating with other friends too concerning 108. When I started a computer business in '79, I called it 108 Systems. It was just one of those little ways that we shared something to communicate about. I can guarantee that you all will see some 108's from Dwight in the coming year!
I have never been good remembering dates or period of time. Hyla and I moved to Colorado in 1972, in a shiny Mercury Cougar pulling an old volkswagon. Dwight was in the back seat. I once saw a sketch book that he had with a picture of me from the back seat looking out the front window, captioned "Where Does I Go." We moved into an apartment for about 6 months. Dwight got a job cutting samples for a window blind company. In the fall of that year we bought a house in Indian Hills, Colorado, which had two small cabins on the property. Dwight set up residence in one of the cabins. Dwight made friends with one or two people who were starting to play guitar. He spent time with them. I think by winter, he bacame restless and missed his friends back east. He sold his $400 gibson guitar to one of the friends for $80 dollars in bus fare and split. I spent the next year destroying my house to rebuild it. I spent some time practicing on drum pads and a snare drum. A year or two later, Dwight returned with a friend, Randy. They took over the cabins and tried to convert one of them to a "recording studio." Randy had a good drum set. They were only there for the summer and spent their time jamming with local musicians. People came and went. There was no cohesive group. Does this sound familiar to you in your own life? :<)
After Dwight left again in the fall, I got more serious about drumming and when I finally could keep a beat (no natureal virtuoso here!) I jammed a little bit with friends in the neighborhood. It was always a regret for me that I had learned to keep a beat but had never jammed with Dwight. Geez I was SO jealous when I heard of or winessed Dwight jamming with his friends back East! This is not a deep regret. I was (and am) a hiker and mountain climber. Dwight was an artist. We understood and accepted this difference bwtweeen us. He used to call me the "High Plains Drifter."
It is true however that Dwight, in two trips to Colorado that lasted 2 to 4 months touched and influenced a lot of other musicians.
In this month that, for me, went by like lightning, I have been dealing with two areas. On the one hand I have been experiencing Dwight's loss as it relates to me personally. This will go on for a long time. The second area that I have been mentally involved in has been what I thought would be a continuation of the memorial service. I thought that everyone would be feeling the same, that it would be important to share and reveal some of everyones picture of who Dwight was. I was very puzzled that hardly anyone has made postings to the web site. It bothered me for a while, but I am getting beyond that now. I personally do not have an overwhelming NEED to learn more about Dwight, except in the context of providing a biographical picture for those who would like to know more about him. I think I understand that most of Dwight's beloved friends don't really have a need for that biographical info. I think most people in his life have their own, personal, relationship with Dwight and don't feel any desire to know more or to even share what they have. I've never been through this before, so it has been a learning experience about human nature for me. (Not a negative one).
I think it's a family thing to have a biography about ancestors and relatives. My daughters hunger to know Dwight, because they didn't have a personal relationship with him.
So, I'm going to pull back some, get copies of the movies out to people on the mailing list and then concentrate on organizing Dwight's stuff for family perusal. Since Laila and Jenna both have very computer knowledgeable boyfriends, we will also be able to post a lot of stuff on the web for people to request copies of. I myself am not a computer geek anymore.
I was deeply saddened to read the Trenton Times this morning and to see Dwight's name. I didn't know where Dwight had gone after the Stricklands left Amsterdam Road, but I have thought about him from time to time as he was such an intregal part of my childhood and early teen years. Dwight and I spent countless hours together exploring the fields across the street, the Gropp's Lake area, and climbing on the walls and lower roof of Yarville Height's Elementary School. I was definately a tomboy and the only girl allowed to play hardball with Dwight and Craig after I had proven my ability. We would throw a ball between out backyards careful not to miss and have it destroy one of Mr. Nugent's prize roses. Dwight and I used to get grossed out watching Craig skin an animal that he caught on a hunting trip with his Dad. Usually Dwight and I made some excuse to leave....Dwight and I had a puppy love crush that we never ever spoke about until one summer day he walked up to me and boldly handed me a piano pin. I think I was seven or eight years old. I asked him what I was supposed to do with it? He said that I was supposed to wear it. I asked him why and he told me that it meant that I could only be special friends with him. I remember taking it back into my bedroom and putting it into my jewelry box with the rotating ballerina. I hid it in a secret place where the ballerina base had ripped a little. Because of my tomboy status, there was no way that I was going to wear that pin, but getting that pin from the "neatest" and best looking boy in the neighborhood was really something. I did, however, look at it alot! That pin did not change our friendship one bit. Dwight and I continued to explore our neighborhood, put baseball cards on the spokes of our bikes with clothespins, and play marbles.Boy, did we play marbles. We dug up the ground near my back stoop and invented our own elablorate marble games with holes and mazes. As we got older, we spent alot of time listening to 45's "Soldier Boy". "See You In September", etc. I'd listen endlessly to Dwight's garage band from its earliest moments to actually recognizing a song. We put on a couple of neighborhood "Fairs", charged admission(so we could go to 7-11 to buy Slurpees) and Dwight's band was the entertainment. They were also the entertainment for my 13th birthday party in the backyard.I was the lukiest girl in the world. I can close my eyes and hear them playing "Get Off Of My Cloud"....In my very earliest pictures of friendship, Dwight is always there. We were so innocent then. I can't quite pinpoint when Dwight and I went our separate ways. I think it was when everything started changing...around the beginning of Vietnam.....Dwight will always hold such a special place in my heart. I would have loved to have been in touch with him one more time. I would love to talk to Eddie or Louise. Please feel free to e-mail me. J.Wolk (Treichler)
This life. This train. Surges on. And on. We. Who are. Still aboard. Continue. With. Our routines, Our passions, Our reactions. To all that passes. Our gaze. Out the window. We stare out. We stare in. Assured that others. Are seated. Where they were. A moment before. We saw. Some fleeting new thing. Strangers smile. Children whine. Memories are made. With each. Clikity Clack. The rails pass. Both. Into past infinity. And a yawning Future greeting. We are one. With this great. Heaving mass. Of energy. Clikity Clack. Dwight got off. At the last stop.
Today, 7/13/05, I'm monitoring the return-to-flight launch of Discovery. I worked for a launch vehicle systems testing company that was a subcontractor to Lockheed-Martin. I was the program manager for testing of Titan launches. (My cat is named Titan) On day-of-launch I usually spent all night in a small room with a team of 4 people and lots of equipment. We independently ran simulations of the launch with direct input from the Cape of winds data. We verified that the winds wouldn't knock the booster out of control on the way up. One mission that we did was the Cassini launch. From my office, I was given a phone number that mission folks could dial into and monitor all of the launch chatter live. I called Dwight and gave him the number. He dialed in and recorded the whole last 2 hours of chatter! That's all that really mattered...that I provided my brother with very close participation in the the launch.
Watching a movie early Sunday morning....James Taylor song..."I always thought that I'd see you again.." I was reminded that Dwight told me the that song reminded him that he had "dated" Art Buchwald's daughter in Washington, DC when he was younger. He had been to their house for dinner and had noted that the family interaction was strained. He didn't think that there was anything particularly wrong with her.....soon afterwards they sent her away to some type of institution.... Dwight sang the song thinking of her.
On reflection In my mirror I always saw glimpses Of my brother In me. A twitch here A raised eyebrow there. Seeing my father in both of us. Comfort in imagining that Across the country That scene was being repeated.
I think one of the things that marks a close family is the "checking up on one another." As family members who lived far apart, Dwight and I would compare notes on how we thought Louise was doing, Dwight and Louise would compare notes on me, Louise and I would compare notes on how Dwight was doing. We called each other at least every othe week. In that way we kept track of each others pains and happiness. We supported each other and aided each other in times of crisis. Dwight lived close to our parents for many years, looking after them. The last time Dwight and I and Louise were together, it was at Dwight's house in the late 90's. We spent a day visiting Mount Vernon. The next day we rode down and visited Monticello. Dwight and Louise are nuts on history!
September 30th.... We had a lovely lunch for Dwight, at Milano's in Centreville. .... me, Roberta, Louise, her son Paul Jr, her daughter Kristi and her husband Jeff, Dick Turner, George (Dwight's supervisor), Michael Sullivan (dwight's long time friend), and Stacey the representative from NASA. We had a large private room to ourselves. We set up a sample of Dwight's paintings, his Bounty shuttle, and a TV. After a pleasant lunch, we all watched Dwight's "History of the Rocket Launch Program. Then Stacey presented us with a 24" x 18" mounted poster that was dedicated to STS-107, and the lost crew of Columbia. In the center there is a dedication to Dwight for his lifetime support of the program.
After lunch I, Roberta, Louise, Paul Jr, Kristi, Jeff, and Sully all went up to the UDVAR-HAZY Flight Museum for a walk around.
Saturday Oct 1st... Roberta and I went to the DC mall and I re-lived many lovely memories of doing the the same with my brother.
Sunday Oct 2nd.... Roberta and I are going out to Dwight's home to photograph it, then on to Gettysburg and then on to Yardville NJ, where we all grew up.
My brother, my soul. Entwined through the ages, Mysteriously joined through birth, I wrapped you around me through life, Careful guardians of one another. We shared doubts and dreams and The wonder of life. I was loth to declare beauty without your nod. Our joy and laughter was as one, Oh quick witted Dwight! The delicate wonder of the union of Evelene and Sam and Louise and Dwight and Ed. Would that we could all continue to see, through each other, The unique view of the world that was ours. You WILL be with me as I walk and work and Play and breath and sleep. I think of you and the journey that YOU are on.
Ed, You don't know me but I knew your dear brother Dwight 32 years ago in Trenton. I was a 15 yr old runaway at the time, home town was Trenton but my parents moved us to LA. I left there to come back to Trenton where I met Dwight along with a few other "Bowie freaks", musicians that were his friends. I thought the world of him. We were in love for about as long as can be expected from a 15 yr old in such flux but he made an indelible mark on my soul and I have thought of him and his brilliance many, many times over the years. I have often wondered what became of him, I even contacted some of those old Trenton friends a couple of years ago and asked if they'd heard anything of him since but no. And we all lamented the loss of being connected to him. I am so sad to have to write then now with the distressing news. If I may ask, how did he pass? I just found out he died because once again my mind wondered where he was so I googled his name today and found your touching webpage. I haven't had the chance to read it all, it is a little overwhelming emotionally for me right now. I wish I had had another chance to tell him all that he gave to me and how much he meant to me still after all these years. How great to hear of his triumphs in space. He was always drawing bald-headed space travelers and talked of "cyborgs" before anyone ever else even knew what that could be. He employed a unique phonetic spelling that reminds me of the text message shortcuts used today. He was certainly a visionary ahead of his time, and his enthusiasm was infectious. But I also remembered him as a somewhat tortured artist battling inner demons like the Arjuna fights with Krishna he'd often refer to. I hope he found his peace and happiness in this life. If you get the time and can write me back, I'd appreciate it. Thank you so much for the webpage. You are obviously a wonderful loving brother worthy of such a great man as Dwight. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I did get to meet your parents back then and I remember them as lovely people. Sincerely. Marian (my last name was "Clark" then)
Hi my name is jon bilinski and I have recently heard the news about Dwight. I thought you might like to see some old pictures. We all knew him in 1972 and I loved to play music with him at spontaneous jams. There was a group of us who were all friends and artists and musicians. Dwight was a great influence on me musically and artistically. He introduced the whole Starman/Bowie music exploration to us. We would jam for hours. We would talk for hours and hours and hours. He also introduced me to science fiction, particularly Isaac Asimov and his robots books. We had many great times back then in the summer of 1972.
yes I remember the Landru time and all those jams but not all of the people's names. I was part of the slightly younger set and was meeting people for the first time. He took a liking to me and showed me guitar chords and piano chords. We played "Mrs Brown You've got a Lovely Daughter" and turn it into a different song at the end. We used to talk about that Star Trek episode where people go into chaos at midnight saying "Landru Landru" and lines like"are you with the body" all mixed in with conversations of "Big Eyed Beans From Venus" (Beefheart) and "Starman" (Bowie)..... I remember one trip to DC to a house with a recording studio. I played the sax. The drums were downstairs. We had about six of us who came down from Trenton It seems that we jammed whenever and where ever he came by. I first met him through his friends the Bodner's and mostly hung around the White City Lake neighborhood. We also jammed at Chestnut Street and State Street near Cadwalter Park. That was a great time and we all had a great sense of excitement about the future. Mostly due to his positive influence. I am very glad to hear that he is still spreading his wit and good will through his art. I credit him with inspiring me to be creative.
Dear Dwight ....Sept 30th has come again! Happy Birthday! I thought about all the years I sent you Prun Bread for your birthday! One of my favoriate of your Birthday's was 1999 when you & I went to dinner at the Red Fox Inn! We had such a great time getting into the spirit of the taven and imagining all the great conversations (James Maddison, Thomas Jefferson, etc all the way up the John F. Kennedy) that had taken place there! You are still very much missed, brother dear but I take confort that you, Mom & Dad are together..... Love Sister
Ed, This is Randy, Dwight's old friend from D.C. - Swight and I have a mutual friend, Patrick Murphy, In VA, who I recently asked to try and find out Dwight's whereabouts. It's been years since I've communicated with Dwight in person. I'm extremely saddened by this news. please contact me asap via internet or by phone; 786-259-3781 , email rcduvalle@yahoo.com. Thank you. Randy
Dwight the sun is shinning and it is a beautiful windy day..I was remembering long ago a spring when we lived in CHristiansburg and you and I and the Kris and Paul Jr were trying to fly kites in our back year, they were very yound and they thought you were quite amazing with the kites that kept getting tangled in the old Oak tree at the end of the yard..we laughed and laughed for hours! ..I sure do miss your laugh and smile and the twinkle in yourr eyes..It doesn't get any easier, my friend, I still miss you terribly and it's only been two years ago today that you left us...I am always reading something of seeing something in the news or on the history, or discovery channel that reminds me of you. When I think about it, you Ed and I were so very lucky to have had the parents we had, they laid the foundation of our interest and curiosity our lust or life and our special curiousity ...You can rest assured that your contributions in art etc made a difference in so many lives. So today I again salute and pay tribute to a live well lived...Love Your Sister
It was a whirlwind couple of days. I and Robertas and daughters drove from Dulles to Gettysburg late Sunday evening, arriving around 10:00 PM. My sister, Louise, and her husband had driven from Lincoln to Nashville last Thursday to pick up their son's little boy who lives with his mother there. They got to Gettysburg on Saturday. We all had breakfast at a Perkins on Monday morning and then proceeded to the Battlefield Visitors Center. It was sunny and HOT, very typical for Gettysburg in the summer. We watched a short presentation on the 3 day battle. I was reminded of just how much happened there over the short span of 3 days! I had been to Gettysburg with Dwight about 3 or 4 times. His emotion packed, deep understanding of the events far surpasses anything that the current Park Rangers have to offer. My daughter Jenna said what we all know..... that Dwight's vivid imagination and grokking of events allowed him to actually BE at the Battle of Gettysburg. After a short lunch Louise's son Paul and his wife Renee joined us. We then had a motley caravan of 3 cars containing a group that probably is typical of all American families .... some laughter and joking, some deep reverence, some picture taking.... It was the first Gettysburg visit for my daughters. They were quite amazed by the whole spector of Gettysburg and said that they had gained a great new perspective of why they're uncle was drawn to the Civil War history. For me, my feelings were a mixture of awareness that Dwight was THERE with us and a sadness and emptiness that Gettysburg could never be as vivid again for me without Dwight's active explanations and seeing it WITH him. I think we all felt that.
After driving up around to the Virginia monument and looking across the field from where Pickett's Charge began.... we wound slowly around and over to Little Round Top. It was around 5:00. We spent 1/2 hour walking the high observation rocks on Little Round Top, overlooking the familiar Devil's Den. It was HOT! Over 5,000 soldiers died in the heat, in wool uniforms on that battlefield. Another 4,000 died shortly afterwards from their wounds.
On our permit, we had been pointed in the direction of the spot where the 20th Maine regiment had amazingly held off the Confederates on the southeast side of Little Roundtop. That munment area was slightly off and down on the East side. It was a more secluded, shady, quiet and peacefull spot, away from the very top where 40 to 50 people were continually parking and streaming over the area. Down the short dirt road into the woods, the Maine monument is just the same layout of rapidly constructed defensive stone piles and rocks amid shady green trees and brush. I could remember Dwight walking that ground with me, pointing to each protective position and reliving how each group of soldier was crouched down, full of fear, and as a group, holding the spot and and perhaps turning the outcome of the whole battle. If the Confederacy had taken Little Round Top they would have had an excellent artillery position to command the battlefield. If you watch the movie, Gettysburg, Jeff Daniels portrays The heroic officer who lead that group.
Our family walked to that quiet area.....there where no others walking around that area while we were there..... and sat reflectively, all knowing that Dwight was there and that we were doing the right thing to bring his ashes to that green wood spot. We opened the container and took out the plastic bag that contained about a flour sack amount of ash and tiny bone fragments. We filled small cups for each person. Each person then walked off into the surrounding brush and trees alone and carefully spread the ashes. I looked for quiet, fertile looking spots under trees and brush, thinking how Dwight's very being would add to the fertile growth of this quiet, reverent wood.
So, we now have a memorial for all who knew and loved Dwight. You can journey to Gettyburg with family and friends and be renewed in an understanding of the one great struggle that helped to form our nation and you can walk in the cool, shaded wood at the 20th Maine site and reflect on the fact that Dwight's ashes are spread in small areas all over the site. He will be there with you.
At last Dwight's remains have been interred at Little Round Top, amongst those brave men's bones and ashes with whom he felt a reverent connection ... a connection involving valor, fortitude and loyalty to a flag (any worthy flag), a country and a purpose. Dwight was all of that. He knew he was a pawn in the scheme of his contemporary world, he knew he had a duty to God and family and friends. Dwight took his charge regarding his lot in life and did the very best he was capable of, all the while eking out a living, paying the bills and buying food. He did this with exemplary fortitude; working daily at Turner Framing, remaining a friend to his friends, holding onto his faith in God who created the awesome Universe he loved and explored through his telescope. Dwight is a good man. I am certain that he is in Heaven now. He Loved the Lord and all that He created. Stars, planets, oceans, trees, peoples and bugs. Dwight and I often spoke about the most wonderful virtue that God had given man and we agreed that God had given us the answer very early on in the Bible. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God told us to create, and Dwight did just that. Dwight could create a work of art at will. It was just what he was, a creator, an artist, a child of God. God has got a good one. He has called home His creation that was almost always misunderstood by members of this secular world, but completely understood and appreciated by those looking through a holy revealed loving lens. Dwight never knew how good he really was. Not just in passing talent, but in the inspiration he gave to those of us who were able to see that this person, this spirit was something special. Angelic and Devilish at times and allowing each of us; at least me, to make a judgment based on which lens was being used for viewing ... A crystal clear spiritual lens or a secular, self serving lens. Through a spiritual lens, Dwight was shiny, clean, beautiful, earnest, sincere, faithful and true. Dwight, your remains have been scattered to settle the affairs of men and ease their anxiety and frivolity, but your soul has been scattered among the wonderfully starlit heavens of your Heavenly Father; your Creator. I Love you Brother and I’ll see you soon enough, Rick Davis
Happy Birthday Dwight! Louise is barrelling through upstate New York today torwards the resting place of Mom and Dad. She visted our old neighborhood in Yardville today. I don't think she's been there since '85, the year they passed on. I was there two years ago now... part of your spirit was there with them. I left you all 3 joyous roses. You know. I went to a birthday party today for an 80 year old friend of mine. Just some simple talk and a glass of wine on a lake. Miss you.
To My dear Brother......03/04/08 I have not been able to bring to put into words until now as we are approaching the 3rd anniversary of your passing, how I feel...Gettysburg was like loosing you all over again for me personally... I just can't seem to say good-by...You gave so much to so many, making their lives so much richer...I know that you did realize the way you impacted peoples lives.....Paul and I took our 41st Anniversary trip up the east coast! I was wonderful, we visited Monticello and Williamsburg and I can't tell you how many times you entered our conversations! Paul really did enjoy Thomas Jefferson's home just like you, Ed and I said he would! After going back to NJ and NY, Virginia & Pennsylvania, there is know doubt in my mind that your spirt is in the right place, and I take great comfort in that....Paul Jr and I were talking and remembering your last visit with him....He really misses you....as we all do....rest well....Love, as always, your sister
Dwight....... A stern task master you were! You drove, cajoled, beseeched, and begged all of us to search and act beyond all of our "normal" drudgeries of life and join you on your infinite journeys, exploring every form of feeling and expression. Yes, I still keep trudging along with my own life, enjoying every morsel that I can within the incredible circle of love that I enjoy and am grateful for. Still, there will always be a hole in my existence for the love we shared as brothers.
I felt a great positive feeling over Christmas when I finally took some time to get a small bit of your music and videos up on the web site. I felt that you were coaxing and directing me. You smiled. I pledge to continue that effort this year!
I hope that you will still spare some energy to infuse ALL of the people that you lived and loved with here, so they will continue to explore and express and carry on.
Dearest Brother, We think of you today ...of the exceptional person you were...of the joy you brought into our lives..your excitement, you passion for the earth and beyond! Your dedication to art, music, all the the subjects you were passionate about and your loyality to people, your gift of making everyone who knew you, know how important they were to you ... Yes, we think of you today and remember your smile, your laugh, the twinlke in your eye, your sence of humor...How you lived your life on your own terms ...we miss you.....rest my dear brother...
Of course, I am thinking about Dwight today...It is Pi Day. 3.14.
And I am thinking about family and friends who I keep close in my heart, even though I can't seem to find nearly enough time to spend with them.
Even after three years, the loss of Dwight isn't really any easier to bear. Who ever said that these things would get better over time? That person did not know Dwight. It is still devastating. But thinking of him also inspires love and joy and gratitude, and so I focus on these things and send them on to those who I know are missing him too, and I wish we were all together.
Happy Birthday Brother... It is always so sad around your Birthday.... you left so early, and left us so empty. We will all always, always cherish you.
Dearest Brother, Your Birthday is always a sad empty day since you are gone....I try to remember the many great times! I was rembering the day you were born: our grandmother, Strickland came to take care of Ed & I, I can remember running to all the neighbors and telling them that we had a baby brother! we were so excited and you were a week old before mom came home with you. Ed couldn't wait for you to get big enough to play and I just wanted to hold you like a doll. You had thick black curly hair and we thought you looked like mom's side of the family!
Dwight, Today, thanks to our brother I was able to enjoy listening to you sing...What a great legacy of music and art you have left for all of us..We thank-you....Miss you.. Love your sister
Here it is March again! We (Paul & I) can't believe it will be 4 years since you've been gone! We still continue to miss you! Something is always cropping up that makes us think of you or something happens that we think abou sharing with you!....Love Sis
Brother....as I enter a period of supreme challange, my thoughts turn deeply to you and the strength you maintained in dealing with your infirmities. The beautiful Spring and the return to life is all about us. Take our hands and lead us forwards !
Happy Birthday Dwight. 57 today. I have been watching TV special on John Muir...about how many viewed him as kinda over the edge about nature. I will ALWAYS know you as "over the edge" in music, art, astronomy....and every other area of your life! You touched and inspired everyone who crossed your path!
Dwight, you passed on 5 years ago today. I still have many dreams where we join together as a family, mostly together in new, unfamiliar homes or cities, sometimes great memory, sometimes a little disturbing. I have recently "friended" on facebook with Harold Geller, who has refurbished your telescope, Jordan Carlson (who always looks forward to seeing your creativity online), and Larry Cassis (we teleconferenced around Xmas!). These contacts from YOUR life help to keep you current in MY life. I've been starting to crank up astronomy here. I will get started with some night sky photos soon. Lots of people e-mailed me out of the blue on your favorite day, Ground Hog Day. I know your spirit is woven into MANY of your old friends. Your life IS being celebrated and your many forms of art ARE being shared! Love you Brother.
Watching a lovely launch of STS-132 for you Dwight, the biggest advocate of manned space flight since Walter Cronkite!! I think I'm gonna have to go see the LAST flight next year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY we miss you but continue to feel your spirit ever present! 2010 My son and I shared memories of you that we hold dear, this past summer. Happy memories! You gave everyone who was lucky enough to be in your life, so much, especially a profound love of music and art!
Dwight would be 58 today. I'm thinking about the huge physical/emotional presence you had. Memories pale in comparison. I'm glad I've at least got a few actual videos of you. What is missed is seeing and sharing your response to events of the day and current trends. I wonder if you would have done Facebook....probably not....you were a stern taskmaster when it came to trends. You were just starting to get into having a cell phone. We will miss you being the greatuncle for Levi. We will all work to keep your memory alive throughout our family. Thanks for sharing your life with us! Happy Birthday !!
Happy Birthday Dwight (1 day belated)! I have lots of dreams that involve you visiting me in various situations. I guess that's because in adult life we lived so far apart and could only visit physically. We did talk on the phone often and shared many things in life. I often wonder which of todays technologies would you have embraced. You were a real pioneer in the use of PCs, using them for the whole area of your creativity in doing animation. You did not embrace cell phones very quickly. I wonder if you would be carrying one around with you and texting frequently. you probably would because the texting phones are pretty standard. You probably would NOT have been doing FACEBOOK yet. You guarded your private live very carefully, while being VERY interactive with those that were close to you. As time moves on I think more and more that your spirit is alive and among us. BAck soon!
Seven years today you passed on Dwight. Hope you like the new Website. I cherish and Celebrate your life! Saw a pic on Space.com today taken from Earth that shows incredible detail of the Apollo 11 landing site, including the the lander! Recalling that we left for Colorado on the morning of the landing! Geez, you'd be pissed at the letdown of our country for manned space flight!
Time keeps marching along! Miss you so much; the journey without you here is surely lacking. Thinking of how much you would be enjoying the pic's from Mars!OUT...
48 comments:
Dwight, as a kid brother, seemed quite shy, but VERY eager to play at imaginative games...building forts, drawing strange pictures, creating cardboard control panels for our rocket ships. I was 10 when he was six. We grew up in the Yardville suburbs of Trenton, NJ on a street where every home seemed to be a different nationality. There was a woods and a lake (Grops Lake) nearby. There were also wonderful fields of grass and dirt and a stream. So, Dwight spent many days fishing and roaming and dreaming.
I am simply heart broken. My sweet friend has succumbed to the fate which we all have in common. He has left the planet and now I have the daunting task of living without his entertaining twist on the state of things. He and I used to joust daily. We wrestled with politics, TV, Movies, but we always agreed on a few things ... the wonder of the heavens, the grace of God, and the certainty that Love and Kindness would take us forward into the next dimension where we would all meet again.
Dyt ... I miss you already but I will see you again. I love you. Rick
Dwight put the lie to the idea that people stuck in unglamourous jobs couldn't yet be a Leonardo Da Vinci.
Dwight educated himself Ray Bradbury style, working a custodial job in a university library. He vacuumed his carpets at the speed of sound and used the bought time to read voraciously on astronomy, rocketry and other subjects that fascinated him.
I met Dwight as a student at that university. We became fast friends. I think Dwight felt my unabashed love and respect for him. He was 12 years my senior and very talented. I'd been waiting all my life to meet someone like Dwight. I looked up to him. For his part, he welcomed me into his heart. From early on we trusted each other and we never broke that trust. I was 24. As life went one, I'd realize how rare a friend like Dwight would be. Almost 20 years later, I have lost my oldest friend.
I remember our last conversation very well. It was a good one, a special one. I was about to leave the country. Maybe I had a feeling. I don't know. We were saying things, important things. I was impressed by the strength of his spiritual views. I knew why we were friends that night. Had always known -- just learned it again.
He was an excellent painter with his own unique style yet very modest about his talents and quick to point out and praise superior work.
Dwight sang very well. He played a mean guitar. He knocked me out more than once with his musical power.
He was fearless/happy when pursuing Beauty.
He was a pious man.
He worshipped the memory of his deceased parents.
He was offended by the offensive.
We never had anything but encouraging words for each other. I was his good friend. It means so much to me to be able to say those words. I am heartbroken to lose him and I was not ready. I am not ready. Dwight - I left the country and I wasn't there to answer the last time you called. Please, please forgive me...
He knew painting and aviation. He could point a telescope anywhere, on any night.
Dwight loved Sammy.
He could build stuff and fix things.
Dwight was an American.
A few years ago, we tarred the roof of his house together on an autumn day, both of us up there with long, steel-handled rollers. Dwight kept saying, whatever you do, don't let your handle knock up against this wire, pointing to the electrical power wire leading to the house. We kept talking and working and about 10 minutes later, Dwight's handle hit the wire. I'll never forget the look on his face. Luckily, it was well-insulated and there was no shock, only the funny one on his face. The rest of the morning he kept exclaiming, "I shouldn't be here!" and laughing his delightful laugh. He lived the rest of the day (and how much farther I don't know) marvelling over that thought.
He always brought me UP. Never down. Not once.
And I'll remember him for never doing art for art's sake. Dwight was kind and I think he valued kindness and friendship a lot more than art. The fact that Dwight nevertheless excelled in art says a lot about his character.
For Dwight was chasing true Beauty - the kind that shows respect for the source of all Beauty.
I love him. I shall always miss him. I will see him, fragments of images, moments, flickers and smiles, in my mind in the years to come . . .
Dwight, you exquisite, kindhearted gentleman: I know where you are. You are in my heart, you are with God, enveloped in love. You found the place where your acts of beauty resonate forever and are returned a thousand fold. And one day we'll meet there and you'll show me what you've been working on . . .
Your friend, forever
george soler
Each time I cry, I feel a little pain.
I've got a lot of crying to do.
Each time I laugh, I feel a little better.
I've got a lot of laughing to do.
I had all of Dwights pics, audio tapes, CDs, and VHS shipped to me. In the coming weeks and months I'll sort through it all and post many things to this site!
Oops....of course I need to get some pics up from my OWN stuff!
108......... Somewhere back in the late 70's Dwight told me over the phone and then when I visted that the numbere 108 was appearing in many unusual places, all good, not bad. I too started seeing 108's, he probably was comunicating with other friends too concerning 108. When I started a computer business in '79, I called it 108 Systems. It was just one of those little ways that we shared something to communicate about. I can guarantee that you all will see some 108's from Dwight in the coming year!
I have never been good remembering dates or period of time. Hyla and I moved to Colorado in 1972, in a shiny Mercury Cougar pulling an old volkswagon. Dwight was in the back seat. I once saw a sketch book that he had with a picture of me from the back seat looking out the front window, captioned "Where Does I Go." We moved into an apartment for about 6 months. Dwight got a job cutting samples for a window blind company. In the fall of that year we bought a house in Indian Hills, Colorado, which had two small cabins on the property. Dwight set up residence in one of the cabins. Dwight made friends with one or two people who were starting to play guitar. He spent time with them. I think by winter, he bacame restless and missed his friends back east. He sold his $400 gibson guitar to one of the friends for $80 dollars in bus fare and split. I spent the next year destroying my house to rebuild it. I spent some time practicing on drum pads and a snare drum. A year or two later, Dwight returned with a friend, Randy. They took over the cabins and tried to convert one of them to a "recording studio." Randy had a good drum set. They were only there for the summer and spent their time jamming with local musicians. People came and went. There was no cohesive group. Does this sound familiar to you in your own life? :<)
After Dwight left again in the fall, I got more serious about drumming and when I finally could keep a beat (no natureal virtuoso here!) I jammed a little bit with friends in the neighborhood. It was always a regret for me that I had learned to keep a beat but had never jammed with Dwight. Geez I was SO jealous when I heard of or winessed Dwight jamming with his friends back East! This is not a deep regret. I was (and am) a hiker and mountain climber. Dwight was an artist. We understood and accepted this difference bwtweeen us. He used to call me the "High Plains Drifter."
It is true however that Dwight, in two trips to Colorado that lasted 2 to 4 months touched and influenced a lot of other musicians.
In this month that, for me, went by like lightning, I have been dealing with two areas. On the one hand I have been experiencing Dwight's loss as it relates to me personally. This will go on for a long time. The second area that I have been mentally involved in has been what I thought would be a continuation of the memorial service. I thought that everyone would be feeling the same, that it would be important to share and reveal some of everyones picture of who Dwight was.
I was very puzzled that hardly anyone has made postings to the web site. It bothered
me for a while, but I am getting beyond that now. I personally do not have an overwhelming NEED
to learn more about Dwight, except in the context of providing a
biographical picture for those who would like to know more about him. I think I understand that
most of Dwight's beloved friends don't really have a need for that
biographical info. I think most people in his life have their own, personal, relationship with Dwight and don't feel any desire to know more or to even share what they have. I've never been
through this before, so it has been a learning experience about human nature for me. (Not a negative one).
I think it's a family thing to have a biography about ancestors and relatives. My daughters
hunger to know Dwight, because they didn't have a personal relationship with him.
So, I'm going to pull back some, get copies of the movies out to people on the mailing list
and then concentrate on organizing Dwight's stuff for family perusal. Since Laila and Jenna both have
very computer knowledgeable boyfriends, we will also be able to post a lot of stuff on the web for people to request copies of. I myself am not a computer geek anymore.
I was deeply saddened to read the Trenton Times this morning and to see Dwight's name. I didn't know where Dwight had gone after the Stricklands left Amsterdam Road, but I have thought about him from time to time as he was such an intregal part of my childhood and early teen years. Dwight and I spent countless hours together exploring the fields across the street, the Gropp's Lake area, and climbing on the walls and lower roof of Yarville Height's Elementary School. I was definately a tomboy and the only girl allowed to play hardball with Dwight and Craig after I had proven my ability. We would throw a ball between out backyards careful not to miss and have it destroy one of Mr. Nugent's prize roses. Dwight and I used to get grossed out watching Craig skin an animal that he caught on a hunting trip with his Dad. Usually Dwight and I made some excuse to leave....Dwight and I had a puppy love crush that we never ever spoke about until one summer day he walked up to me and boldly handed me a piano pin. I think I was seven or eight years old. I asked him what I was supposed to do with it? He said that I was supposed to wear it. I asked him why and he told me that it meant that I could only be special friends with him. I remember taking it back into my bedroom and putting it into my jewelry box with the rotating ballerina. I hid it in a secret place where the ballerina base had ripped a little. Because of my tomboy status, there was no way that I was going to wear that pin, but getting that pin from the "neatest" and best looking boy in the neighborhood was really something. I did, however, look at it alot! That pin did not change our friendship one bit. Dwight and I continued to explore our neighborhood, put baseball cards on the spokes of our bikes with clothespins, and play marbles.Boy, did we play marbles. We dug up the ground near my back stoop and invented our own elablorate marble games with holes and mazes. As we got older, we spent alot of time listening to 45's "Soldier Boy". "See You In September", etc. I'd listen endlessly to Dwight's garage band from its earliest moments to actually recognizing a song. We put on a couple of neighborhood "Fairs", charged admission(so we could go to 7-11 to buy Slurpees) and Dwight's band was the entertainment. They were also the entertainment for my 13th birthday party in the backyard.I was the lukiest girl in the world. I can close my eyes and hear them playing "Get Off Of My Cloud"....In my very earliest pictures of friendship, Dwight is always there. We were so innocent then. I can't quite pinpoint when Dwight and I went our separate ways. I think it was when everything started changing...around the beginning of Vietnam.....Dwight will always hold such a special place in my heart. I would have loved to have been in touch with him one more time. I would love to talk to Eddie or Louise. Please feel free to e-mail me. J.Wolk (Treichler)
This life.
This train.
Surges on.
And on.
We.
Who are.
Still aboard.
Continue.
With.
Our routines,
Our passions,
Our reactions.
To all that passes.
Our gaze.
Out the window.
We stare out.
We stare in.
Assured that others.
Are seated.
Where they were.
A moment before.
We saw.
Some fleeting new thing.
Strangers smile.
Children whine.
Memories are made.
With each.
Clikity Clack.
The rails pass.
Both.
Into past infinity.
And a yawning
Future greeting.
We are one.
With this great.
Heaving mass.
Of energy.
Clikity Clack.
Dwight got off.
At the last stop.
Today, 7/13/05, I'm monitoring the return-to-flight launch of Discovery. I worked for a launch vehicle systems testing company that was a subcontractor to Lockheed-Martin. I was the program manager for testing of Titan launches. (My cat is named Titan) On day-of-launch I usually spent all night in a small room with a team of 4 people and lots of equipment. We independently ran simulations of the launch with direct input from the Cape of winds data. We verified that the winds wouldn't knock the booster out of control on the way up. One mission that we did was the Cassini launch. From my office, I was given a phone number that mission folks could dial into and monitor all of the launch chatter live. I called Dwight and gave him the number. He dialed in and recorded the whole last 2 hours of chatter! That's all that really mattered...that I provided my brother with very close participation in the the launch.
Watching a movie early Sunday morning....James Taylor song..."I always thought that I'd see you again.." I was reminded that Dwight told me the that song reminded him that he had "dated" Art Buchwald's daughter in Washington, DC when he was younger. He had been to their house for dinner and had noted that the family interaction was strained. He didn't think that there was anything particularly wrong with her.....soon afterwards they sent her away to some type of institution.... Dwight sang the song thinking of her.
On reflection
In my mirror
I always saw glimpses
Of my brother
In me.
A twitch here
A raised eyebrow there.
Seeing my father in both of us.
Comfort in imagining that
Across the country
That scene was being repeated.
I think one of the things that marks a close family is the "checking up on one another." As family members who lived far apart, Dwight and I would compare notes on how we thought Louise was doing, Dwight and Louise would compare notes on me, Louise and I would compare notes on how Dwight was doing. We called each other at least every othe week. In that way we kept track of each others pains and happiness. We supported each other and aided each other in times of crisis. Dwight lived close to our parents for many years, looking after them. The last time Dwight and I and Louise were together, it was at Dwight's house in the late 90's. We spent a day visiting Mount Vernon. The next day we rode down and visited Monticello. Dwight and Louise are nuts on history!
September 30th.... We had a lovely lunch for Dwight, at Milano's in Centreville. .... me, Roberta, Louise, her son Paul Jr, her daughter Kristi and her husband Jeff, Dick Turner, George (Dwight's supervisor), Michael Sullivan (dwight's long time friend), and Stacey the representative from NASA. We had a large private room to ourselves. We set up a sample of Dwight's paintings, his Bounty shuttle, and a TV. After a pleasant lunch, we all watched Dwight's "History of the Rocket Launch Program. Then Stacey presented us with a 24" x 18" mounted poster that was dedicated to STS-107, and the lost crew of Columbia. In the center there is a dedication to Dwight for his lifetime support of the program.
After lunch I, Roberta, Louise, Paul Jr, Kristi, Jeff, and Sully all went up to the UDVAR-HAZY Flight Museum for a walk around.
Saturday Oct 1st... Roberta and I went to the DC mall and I re-lived many lovely memories of doing the the same with my brother.
Sunday Oct 2nd.... Roberta and I are going out to Dwight's home to photograph it, then on to Gettysburg and then on to Yardville NJ, where we all grew up.
Just checking to see if the blog works. Ed
My brother, my soul.
Entwined through the ages,
Mysteriously joined through birth,
I wrapped you around me through life,
Careful guardians of one another.
We shared doubts and dreams and
The wonder of life.
I was loth to declare beauty without your nod.
Our joy and laughter was as one, Oh quick witted
Dwight!
The delicate wonder of the union of Evelene and Sam and
Louise and Dwight and Ed.
Would that we could all continue to see, through each other,
The unique view of the world that was ours.
You WILL be with me as I walk and work and
Play and breath and sleep.
I think of you and the journey that YOU are on.
Ed,
You don't know me but I knew your dear brother Dwight 32 years ago in Trenton. I was a 15 yr old runaway at the time, home town was Trenton but my parents moved us to LA. I left there to come back to Trenton where I met Dwight along with a few other "Bowie freaks", musicians that were his friends. I thought the world of him.
We were in love for about as long as can be expected from a 15 yr old in such flux but he made an indelible mark on my soul and I have thought of him and his brilliance many, many times over the years. I have often wondered what became of him, I even contacted some of those old Trenton friends a couple of years ago and asked if they'd heard anything of him since but no. And we all lamented the loss of being connected to him. I am so sad to have to write then now with the distressing news.
If I may ask, how did he pass? I just found out he died because once again my mind wondered where he was so I googled his name today and found your touching webpage. I haven't had the chance to read it all, it is a little overwhelming emotionally for me right now. I wish I had had another chance to tell him all that he gave to me and how much he meant to me still after all these years.
How great to hear of his triumphs in space. He was always drawing bald-headed space travelers and talked of "cyborgs" before anyone ever else even knew what that could be. He employed a unique phonetic spelling that reminds me of the text message shortcuts used today. He was certainly a visionary ahead of his time, and his enthusiasm was infectious. But I also remembered him as a somewhat tortured artist battling inner demons like the Arjuna fights with Krishna he'd often refer to. I hope he found his peace and happiness in this life.
If you get the time and can write me back, I'd appreciate it. Thank you so much for the webpage. You are obviously a wonderful loving brother worthy of such a great man as Dwight. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I did get to meet your parents back then and I remember them as lovely people.
Sincerely. Marian (my last name was "Clark" then)
Hi my name is jon bilinski and I have recently heard the news about Dwight.
I thought you might like to see some old pictures.
We all knew him in 1972 and I loved to play music with him at spontaneous jams.
There was a group of us who were all friends and artists and musicians.
Dwight was a great influence on me musically and artistically.
He introduced the whole Starman/Bowie music exploration to us.
We would jam for hours.
We would talk for hours and hours and hours.
He also introduced me to science fiction, particularly Isaac Asimov and his robots books.
We had many great times back then in the summer of 1972.
Ed,
yes I remember the Landru time
and all those jams but not all of the people's names.
I was part of the slightly younger set and was meeting people for the first time.
He took a liking to me and showed me guitar chords and piano chords.
We played "Mrs Brown You've got a Lovely Daughter" and turn it into a different song at the end.
We used to talk about that Star Trek episode where people go into chaos at midnight
saying "Landru Landru" and lines like"are you with the body"
all mixed in with conversations of "Big Eyed Beans From Venus" (Beefheart)
and "Starman" (Bowie).....
I remember one trip to DC to a house with a recording studio. I played the sax. The drums were downstairs.
We had about six of us who came down from Trenton
It seems that we jammed whenever and where ever he came by.
I first met him through his friends the Bodner's and mostly hung around the White City Lake neighborhood.
We also jammed at Chestnut Street and State Street near Cadwalter Park.
That was a great time and we all had a great sense of excitement about the future. Mostly due to his positive influence.
I am very glad to hear that he is still spreading his wit and good will through his art.
I credit him with inspiring me to be creative.
Dear Dwight ....Sept 30th has come again! Happy Birthday! I thought about all the years I sent you Prun Bread for your birthday! One of my favoriate of your Birthday's was 1999 when you & I went to dinner at the Red Fox Inn! We had such a great time getting into the spirit of the taven and imagining all the great conversations (James Maddison, Thomas Jefferson, etc all the way up the John F. Kennedy) that had taken place there! You are still very much missed, brother dear but I take confort that you, Mom & Dad are together.....
Love Sister
Ed, This is Randy, Dwight's old friend from D.C. - Swight and I have a mutual friend, Patrick Murphy, In VA, who I recently asked to try and find out Dwight's whereabouts. It's been years since I've communicated with Dwight in person. I'm extremely saddened by this news. please contact me asap via internet or by phone; 786-259-3781 , email rcduvalle@yahoo.com. Thank you. Randy
Sister said....
Dwight, Ground Hog day has come and gone again! I thought of you today! Looks like an early Spring!
Sister said....
Dwight the sun is shinning and it is a beautiful windy day..I was remembering long ago a spring when we lived in CHristiansburg and you and I and the Kris and Paul Jr were trying to fly kites in our back year, they were very yound and they thought you were quite amazing with the kites that kept getting tangled in the old Oak tree at the end of the yard..we laughed and laughed for hours! ..I sure do miss your laugh and smile and the twinkle in yourr eyes..It doesn't get any easier, my friend, I still miss you terribly and it's only been two years ago today that you left us...I am always reading something of seeing something in the news or on the history, or discovery channel that reminds me of you. When I think about it, you Ed and I were so very lucky to have had the parents we had, they laid the foundation of our interest and curiosity our lust or life and our special curiousity ...You can rest assured that your contributions in art etc made a difference in so many lives. So today I again salute and pay tribute to a live well lived...Love Your Sister
It was a whirlwind couple of days. I and Robertas and daughters drove from Dulles to Gettysburg late Sunday evening, arriving around 10:00 PM. My sister, Louise, and her husband had driven from Lincoln to Nashville last Thursday to pick up their son's little boy who lives with his mother there. They got to Gettysburg on Saturday. We all had breakfast at a Perkins on Monday morning and then proceeded to the Battlefield Visitors Center. It was sunny and HOT, very typical for Gettysburg in the summer. We watched a short presentation on the 3 day battle. I was reminded of just how much happened there over the short span of 3 days! I had been to Gettysburg with Dwight about 3 or 4 times. His emotion packed, deep understanding of the events far surpasses anything that the current Park Rangers have to offer. My daughter Jenna said what we all know..... that Dwight's vivid imagination and grokking of events allowed him to actually BE at the Battle of Gettysburg. After a short lunch Louise's son Paul and his wife Renee joined us. We then had a motley caravan of 3 cars containing a group that probably is typical of all American families .... some laughter and joking, some deep reverence, some picture taking....
It was the first Gettysburg visit for my daughters. They were quite amazed by the whole spector of Gettysburg and said that they had gained a great new perspective of why they're uncle was drawn to the Civil War history. For me, my feelings were a mixture of awareness that Dwight was THERE with us and a sadness and emptiness that Gettysburg could never be as vivid again for me without Dwight's active explanations and seeing it WITH him. I think we all felt that.
After driving up around to the Virginia monument and looking across the field from where Pickett's Charge began.... we wound slowly around and over to Little Round Top. It was around 5:00. We spent 1/2 hour walking the high observation rocks on Little Round Top, overlooking the familiar Devil's Den. It was HOT! Over 5,000 soldiers died in the heat, in wool uniforms on that battlefield. Another 4,000 died shortly afterwards from their wounds.
On our permit, we had been pointed in the direction of the spot where the 20th Maine regiment had amazingly held off the Confederates on the southeast side of Little Roundtop. That munment area was slightly off and down on the East side. It was a more secluded, shady, quiet and peacefull spot, away from the very top where 40 to 50 people were continually parking and streaming over the area. Down the short dirt road into the woods, the Maine monument is just the same layout of rapidly constructed defensive stone piles and rocks amid shady green trees and brush. I could remember Dwight walking that ground with me, pointing to each protective position and reliving how each group of soldier was crouched down, full of fear, and as a group, holding the spot and and perhaps turning the outcome of the whole battle. If the Confederacy had taken Little Round Top they would have had an excellent artillery position to command the battlefield. If you watch the movie, Gettysburg, Jeff Daniels portrays The heroic officer who lead that group.
Our family walked to that quiet area.....there where no others walking around that area while we were there..... and sat reflectively, all knowing that Dwight was there and that we were doing the right thing to bring his ashes to that green wood spot. We opened the container and took out the plastic bag that contained about a flour sack amount of ash and tiny bone fragments. We filled small cups for each person. Each person then walked off into the surrounding brush and trees alone and carefully spread the ashes. I looked for quiet, fertile looking spots under trees and brush, thinking how Dwight's very being would add to the fertile growth of this quiet, reverent wood.
So, we now have a memorial for all who knew and loved Dwight. You can journey to Gettyburg with family and friends and be renewed in an understanding of the one great struggle that helped to form our nation and you can walk in the cool, shaded wood at the 20th Maine site and reflect on the fact that Dwight's ashes are spread in small areas all over the site. He will be there with you.
At last Dwight's remains have been interred at Little Round Top, amongst those brave men's bones and ashes with whom he felt a reverent connection ... a connection involving valor, fortitude and loyalty to a flag (any worthy flag), a country and a purpose.
Dwight was all of that. He knew he was a pawn in the scheme of his contemporary world, he knew he had a duty to God and family and friends.
Dwight took his charge regarding his lot in life and did the very best he was capable of, all the while eking out a living, paying the bills and buying food. He did this with exemplary fortitude; working daily at Turner Framing, remaining a friend to his friends, holding onto his faith in God who created the awesome Universe he loved and explored through his telescope.
Dwight is a good man. I am certain that he is in Heaven now. He Loved the Lord and all that He created. Stars, planets, oceans, trees, peoples and bugs.
Dwight and I often spoke about the most wonderful virtue that God had given man and we agreed that God had given us the answer very early on in the Bible. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God told us to create, and Dwight did just that. Dwight could create a work of art at will. It was just what he was, a creator, an artist, a child of God.
God has got a good one. He has called home His creation that was almost always misunderstood by members of this secular world, but completely understood and appreciated by those looking through a holy revealed loving lens.
Dwight never knew how good he really was. Not just in passing talent, but in the inspiration he gave to those of us who were able to see that this person, this spirit was something special. Angelic and Devilish at times and allowing each of us; at least me, to make a judgment based on which lens was being used for viewing ... A crystal clear spiritual lens or a secular, self serving lens.
Through a spiritual lens, Dwight was shiny, clean, beautiful, earnest, sincere, faithful and true.
Dwight, your remains have been scattered to settle the affairs of men and ease their anxiety and frivolity, but your soul has been scattered among the wonderfully starlit heavens of your Heavenly Father; your Creator.
I Love you Brother and I’ll see you soon enough,
Rick Davis
Happy Birthday Dwight!
Louise is barrelling through upstate New York today torwards the resting place of Mom and Dad. She visted our old neighborhood in Yardville today. I don't think she's been there since '85, the year they passed on. I was there two years ago now... part of your spirit was there with them. I left you all 3 joyous roses. You know. I went to a birthday party today for an 80 year old friend of mine. Just some simple talk and a glass of wine on a lake. Miss you.
To My dear Brother......03/04/08
I have not been able to bring to put into words until now as we are approaching the 3rd anniversary of your passing, how I feel...Gettysburg was like loosing you all over again for me personally... I just can't seem to say good-by...You gave so much to so many, making their lives so much richer...I know that you did realize the way you impacted peoples lives.....Paul and I took our 41st Anniversary trip up the east coast! I was wonderful, we visited Monticello and Williamsburg and I can't tell you how many times you entered our conversations! Paul really did enjoy Thomas Jefferson's home just like you, Ed and I said he would!
After going back to NJ and NY, Virginia & Pennsylvania, there is know doubt in my mind that your spirt is in the right place, and I take great comfort in that....Paul Jr and I were talking and remembering your last visit with him....He really misses you....as we all do....rest well....Love,
as always, your sister
Dwight....... A stern task master you were! You drove, cajoled, beseeched, and begged all of us to search and act beyond all of our "normal" drudgeries of life and join you on your infinite journeys, exploring every form of feeling and expression. Yes, I still keep trudging along with my own life, enjoying every morsel that I can within the incredible circle of love that I enjoy and am grateful for. Still, there will always be a hole in my existence for the love we shared as brothers.
I felt a great positive feeling over Christmas when I finally took some time to get a small bit of your music and videos up on the web site. I felt that you were coaxing and directing me. You smiled. I pledge to continue that effort this year!
I hope that you will still spare some energy to infuse ALL of the people that you lived and loved with here, so they will continue to explore and express and carry on.
brothered
Sister ...
Dearest Brother, We think of you today ...of the exceptional person you were...of the joy you brought into our lives..your excitement, you passion for the earth and beyond! Your dedication to art, music, all the the subjects you were passionate about and your loyality to people, your gift of making everyone who knew you, know how important they were to you ...
Yes, we think of you today and remember your smile, your laugh, the twinlke in your eye, your sence of humor...How you lived your life on your own terms ...we miss you.....rest my dear brother...
03/14/08
Of course, I am thinking about Dwight today...It is Pi Day. 3.14.
And I am thinking about family and friends who I keep close in my heart, even though I can't seem to find nearly enough time to spend with them.
Even after three years, the loss of Dwight isn't really any easier to bear. Who ever said that these things would get better over time? That person did not know Dwight. It is still devastating. But thinking of him also inspires love and joy and gratitude, and so I focus on these things and send them on to those who I know are missing him too, and I wish we were all together.
Happy Birthday Brother...
It is always so sad around your Birthday.... you left so early, and left us so empty. We will all always, always cherish you.
Dearest Brother, Your Birthday is always a sad empty day since you are gone....I try to remember the many great times! I was rembering the day you were born: our grandmother, Strickland came to take care of Ed & I, I can remember running to all the neighbors and telling them that we had a baby brother! we were so excited and you were a week old before mom came home with you. Ed couldn't wait for you to get big enough to play and I just wanted to hold you like a doll. You had thick black curly hair and we thought you looked like mom's side of the family!
I sure do miss you!
Love, your sister Louise
Dwight, Today, thanks to our brother I was able to enjoy listening to you sing...What a great legacy of music and art you have left for all of us..We thank-you....Miss you..
Love your sister
Dear Dwight....Happy Birthday Abe!
We were supposed to visit Springfield IL this year! I still hope to make the trip!
Sister
Here it is March again! We (Paul & I) can't believe it will be 4 years since you've been gone! We still continue to miss you! Something is always cropping up that makes us think of you or something happens that we think abou sharing with you!....Love Sis
Brother....as I enter a period of supreme challange, my thoughts turn deeply to you and the strength you maintained in dealing with your infirmities. The beautiful Spring and the return to life is all about us. Take our hands and lead us forwards !
Happy Birthday Dwight. 57 today. I have been watching TV special on John Muir...about how many viewed him as kinda over the edge about nature. I will ALWAYS know you as "over the edge" in music, art, astronomy....and every other area of your life! You touched and inspired everyone who crossed your path!
Dwight, you passed on 5 years ago today. I still have many dreams where we join together as a family, mostly together in new, unfamiliar homes or cities, sometimes great memory, sometimes a little disturbing. I have recently "friended" on facebook with Harold Geller, who has refurbished your telescope, Jordan Carlson (who always looks forward to seeing your creativity online), and Larry Cassis (we teleconferenced around Xmas!). These contacts from YOUR life help to keep you current in MY life. I've been starting to crank up astronomy here. I will get started with some night sky photos soon. Lots of people e-mailed me out of the blue on your favorite day, Ground Hog Day. I know your spirit is woven into MANY of your old friends. Your life IS being celebrated and your many forms of art ARE being shared! Love you Brother.
Watching a lovely launch of STS-132 for you Dwight, the biggest advocate of manned space flight since Walter Cronkite!! I think I'm gonna have to go see the LAST flight next year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY we miss you but continue to feel your spirit ever present! 2010 My son and I shared memories of you that we hold dear, this past summer. Happy memories! You gave everyone who was lucky enough to be in your life, so much, especially a profound love of music and art!
Dwight would be 58 today. I'm thinking about the huge physical/emotional presence you had. Memories pale in comparison. I'm glad I've at least got a few actual videos of you. What is missed is seeing and sharing your response to events of the day and current trends. I wonder if you would have done Facebook....probably not....you were a stern taskmaster when it came to trends. You were just starting to get into having a cell phone. We will miss you being the greatuncle for Levi. We will all work to keep your memory alive throughout our family. Thanks for sharing your life with us! Happy Birthday !!
Happy Birthday Dwight (1 day belated)! I have lots of dreams that involve you visiting me in various situations. I guess that's because in adult life we lived so far apart and could only visit physically. We did talk on the phone often and shared many things in life. I often wonder which of todays technologies would you have embraced. You were a real pioneer in the use of PCs, using them for the whole area of your creativity in doing animation. You did not embrace cell phones very quickly. I wonder if you would be carrying one around with you and texting frequently. you probably would because the texting phones are pretty standard. You probably would NOT have been doing FACEBOOK yet. You guarded your private live very carefully, while being VERY interactive with those that were close to you. As time moves on I think more and more that your spirit is alive and among us. BAck soon!
Seven years today you passed on Dwight. Hope you like the new Website. I cherish and Celebrate your life! Saw a pic on Space.com today taken from Earth that shows incredible detail of the Apollo 11 landing site, including the the lander! Recalling that we left for Colorado on the morning of the landing! Geez, you'd be pissed at the letdown of our country for manned space flight!
Happy 60th Dwight. Your life and your death are the best and worst things of my life.
Time keeps marching along! Miss you so much; the journey without you here is surely lacking. Thinking of how much you would be enjoying the pic's from Mars!OUT...
Belated happy 60th birthday Dwight, you brought out the best in all of us.
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