Id like to share a post about my former bandmate, awesome keyboard player and dear friend. Last night I got word that my buddy Dave Hoppe who Ive asked for everyone to pray for on numerous occasions and who has fought a courageous battle against brain cancer has decided to enter hospice in his home now. His wife Cindi Hennes told me that Dave has decided that this is enough and that his body, mind and spirit are exhausted and it is time .... I want to tell you everything about Dave, what a wonderful guy he is and about everything he has done and accomplished in his life... I want to tell you about the extremely talented gifted pianist he is.... I want to tell you about the amazing bandmate and friend he is to me also. I want to tell you about the good times and the crazy predicaments we got into in all the bands we played together in....But that would take a thousand or more pages. So instead Ill share some pictures and stories all through the week. Cindi told me she will read this post and comments to Dave so I want to start by saying .. Dave, youve certainly made a spot in my heart for you buddy. We were made to be bandmates by fate. It seemed like every time I got comfortable playing in a band and you decided you needed a change you somehow dragged me along on our musical journey. It was a journey that Ive lived every day in my mind since losing my ability to perform. Youve given me that gift and so many more that I can never repay. The most special gifts were our friendship and locating you once again thru Facebook after having lost contact for decades. But the moment Ill carry with me forever was when you told me you had a bucket list and that one of the things on that list needed to be completed while you still could. When you told me that seeing me one more time was on your bucket list and that you were flying in from Wisconsin and would spend the day with me ..... I was absolutely honored !!! I want you to know you are always in heart and in my thoughts ... whether you were banging some blues out on your Rhodes 88 ..... or popping wheelies on Holabird Avenue with your motorcycle.... or dressed to the nines in your tux taking desserts off the food cart at a wedding we were playing..... or flying solo in your glider plane..... YOU have had a pretty amazing, adventurous and fun life and it was such a Privilege and Honor to have YOU DAVE HOPPE as my friend....... I LOVE YOU BUDDY, Stan da Man
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 22:33:24 +0000