The Good Die Young

One week ago today (September 13th) a good friend of mine, Sherman W. Lett, passed away. This young man was only 43 years of age; but had battled a long fight with multiple myeloma for 17 years. Oh, and what a fight it was. I knew Sherman for a long time before I knew he was sick. He was a very private person and kept his battle to himself...fought it alone with only the help of some family and very close friends.

For the better part of the time that I knew him, he was in remission. I do remember a time several years back when he was very ill and I was able to visit him at that time. He was undergoing treatment and in a great deal of pain; but he didn't complain and tried to live a normal life. Fortunately that time, he once again went into remission and had several good years. Many people did not realize Sherman was even sick or suffering. Sherman starting coming out of his remission early in 2009, and by late Spring he was incapacitated to the point where he stayed inside his home and only allowed family and very close friends in to see him. I am quite sure his death was quite a shock to a lot of people.

Let me pay tribute to Sherman. He was the life of the party. In the picture above we see Sherman dressed as a pimp at one of our annual Halloween parties. Oh how Sherman loved that role. He would bring a video camera and play the roving reporter and sneak up on everyone. Those videotapes were played hard over the years with many laughter and tears.

Sherman was a dancer. He could literally rip up the floor at our local dance club. You would be dancing with him and the next minute he would be at the other end of the dance floor. You couldn't keep up. He had this little hop that was his alone and was sort of his trade mark move. No one has ever been able to duplicate it. But you knew when Sherman hit the floor, a fun time was in store.

Sherman was a very considerate person. Someone said at the funeral that he never rose his voice. I had to think about that and it is true. I don't remember one time hearing him raise his voice. He wasn't one to go out looking for a fight or causing trouble. He had a mild manner, a smile and was just mischievous enough to know he was always up to something. The wheels were always turning.

Another thing Sherman was famous for was "taking in strays". Sherman always left a strange array of people stay at his house. I have heard through the rumor mill that he had strict rules and if you didn't abide by them, you were out. But he did give you a chance, which was more than most people would. If you could befriend Sherman, you would never be homeless.

Sherman sang in the Penn State Glee Club and travelled world-wide with them. Although I personally have never heard him sing, I know that music was his life. He loved playing it, singing it, dancing to it, listening to it. I am sure he is now singing with a choir of angels.

We will miss you, Sherman. NO ONE can ever fill your shoes. Harrisburg lost a good citizen and we lost a good friend. May you rest in peace. I know life won't be the same without you.