Submitted by: Anonymous
Date: Monday, February 28, 2022 @ 03:36:10 pm
Might as well have been a superhero. Hulk-like strength, baseball mitts for hands, and a heart of gold; he was like someone out of the Marvel universe. Of course anyone who ever met him knew his true superpower came out in the form of a monstrous hug always followed with an “I love you buddy.” It was special.
Guys in their twenties especially didn’t show that kind of love. He was the exception.
Waltz never had it easy; he went through a lot at an early age. Nevertheless he was always joking around, smiling, and in his own way, inspiring others. I still remember when he gave us all the Al Pacino peaches speech before a big playoff game we had in softball. We laughed our asses off, it eased the tension and we played great. That’s who he was. Always there for his friends, family, and even strangers when they needed it.
Like a superhero.
We grew up differently, but as we became friends we understood each other more and grew closer as the years went by. Both stubborn guys who frequently bumped heads, yet had many nights of sitting up late having “deep” conversations about our lives, our goals, and what this ride is all about.
My family grew to love him as well and he was always invited and almost insisted on attending any event we had going on. And he loved my family too. And he loved his friends. And above all else he loved his family. And they loved him. And I know they miss him dearly.
That’s who Waltz was. A lover not a fighter as he would often say.
With his father out of the picture, he took on the father figure role for his brothers and even at times for his brothers friends. He was a born leader who was just starting to figure it out and we all got robbed of the gifts he could have given.
Pat fell victim to the epidemic of our lifetime which is still going on, largely ignored by our society today. We have all lost someone senselessly to this beast that doesn’t discriminate. And even though we will never know what our loved ones could have accomplished in this world, we can take solace in the fact that sharing their stories, their journeys, their struggles will prevent losing more amazing humans in the future. I know that’s what my friend Pat would have wanted.
I love you buddy.
