GOODBYE TO AN OLD FRIEND


From the Columbus Dispatch:

Stuart Vincent Depp
DEPP Stuart Vincent Depp, 54, a resident of Tiejras, New Mexico, passed away unexpectedly from complications of diabetes at his home on March 15, 2008. Stuart was born September 28, 1954, in Columbus, Ohio. He lived in many places across the United States, where he touched the lives of many people. Stuart graduated from Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, Ohio. In 1999, he graduated from the School of the Practical Nursing. Stuart bicycled the United States, from New York to Alaska, exploring our great country several times. Friends and family will remember Stuart for his love of the outdoors-hiking, cycling, backpacking, and skiing were a few of his favorite pastimes. He loved to get to know people, share music with them, and if they were lucky, maybe some coffee. He tempted many as a superior coffee sommelier at Stauf's Coffee House or he might have dashed past you as a downtown bicycle courier. He wanted to be surrounded by nature and challenges that tested the human spirit which brought out the best in himself and his friends. Stuart was proud to serve his country and the people who live here throughout his varied careers. Stuart learned the foundation of his incredible work ethic, working beside his father, Gerald. His first paying job was a Geneva Hills Presbyterian Church Camp staff member. He was a proud member of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves where he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class in U.S. Army and served his country in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He was also a distinguished honor graduate from the First Armored Division (Old Ironsides) Noncommissioned Officer's Academy. He considered it a privilege to serve as a military Honor Guard member, and presented funeral honors for more than 50 times for his fallen comrades. His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Army Achievement Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster.) Stuart is survived by his father, Gerald E. Depp; siblings, Beverly (Banwo) Longe, Steven (Helaine) Depp, Cynthia (Larry) Cain, Cathy Ann Depp, Jessica A. Depp, Joyce (Bill) Kaiser; many nieces and nephews, and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Willa Louise Depp. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 29 from 2-6 pm at the Longaberger Alumni House on the grounds of The Ohio State University, 2200 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org in Stuart's memory. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries

Published in The Columbus Dispatch on 3/23/2008.

I met Stuart when I started working as a bike messenger for EZ-Delivery when I was attending Ohio State. A few years later when I was in a jam, Stuart offered to let me live with him for a few months while I got myself sorted out.

Stuart was one of the wisest, kindest, most even-keeled individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He could spin a yarn like no one I have ever met and his delivery telling a joke was spot on. We turned each other on to all kinds of music, books and movies (usually of the off the beaten path variety). He turned me on to what a really good espresso tasted like and how to best use a French press during his time at Stauf's Coffee Roasters while I showed him how to pour a glass of wine with a final twist of the wrist so as to not lose a drop.

The one thing that Stuart was really into was bikes. He loved them and the more classic and retro they were the better. He and I used to spend more time than I care to admit talking about the superiority of Campagnolo Super Record over everything else.

We both moved West around the same time, he to New Mexico and I to California. I made it a point to stay in touch with him. Sometimes it would be 5 or 6 months in between our chats but when they happened they were good ones, usually filled with a lot of laughter too. In 2002 I traveled with the team I was managing to Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico and Stuart made the big drive down to have dinner with me and then drove home. He spent 5+ hours in a car to have dinner with an old friend. That was the kind of guy Stuart was.

In the 17 years that I knew Stuart, I never heard anyone say a negative thing about him. Ever. Not a single negative thing. Think about that.

So I say to Stuart, I will miss our phone calls every five or six months to catch up. I will miss you calling me one of the Rodriguez brothers. I will miss the occasional email from you. I will miss your stories about the latest crop of rookies that came through to do their "Army Training Sir".

Most of all though, I will miss you.

Here is hoping that you are finally as bike fit as you always wanted to be, that all your Campy and Snap-On tools are exactly where they should be, that all your Dylan CD's sound like Bob was playing in the same room, that your crema is always perfect and that you are at peace and one with the world.

Stuart, aka Man of the West, Johnny Rojo, Zeek the Friendly Pirate, Black Stuart, Petey the Marmot, Good bye and thanks for helping to make me a better person.

I already miss you very, very much.