ALEX REGEHR

1999-2009

Alex, my best friend and faithful companion for over 9 years passed away Thursday, April 9. People say “It hurts to lose a pet.” I am certain it does. But Alex was not a pet. He was a trusted friend, confidante and loyal traveling companion.

Several years ago he proved that when he pulled me to safety, saving my life. “No big thing” his ever-present smile seemed to say. “You would do the same for me.” And I would.  But Thursday night, life failed him. We didn’t save him. I couldn’t save him.  He was riddled with cancer and his spleen ruptured from the tumors, filling his chest with blood. D. Gostlin did his best and suggested we take Alex to Grand Junction for emergency surgery, which we did. There, the doctors and nurses stabilized Alex and made him comfortable, but X-rays revealed the horrible truth – Alex was not going to recover.

Alex never complained. Not when he sat through hours of symposia and conferences, content to be at my side; not when we drove coast-to-coast, stopping only briefly; not when my illness kept him inside for days on end, nuzzling me to assure me all was well. And not at the end, when he knew he was passing.

But then, that’s what friends do – they support us during hard times and celebrate with us during good times.

Goodbye, Alex, my faithful friend and unswerving companion. May your days be filled with bunny rabbits, pesky “sister” cats and all the love you gave to everyone you met.

Ron Regehr

 Alex was an annual visitor with Ron to the Festival. As for the Museum staff and our Festival speakers and guests, we will miss him this year and for years to come. He was a amazing.

Julie Shuster

Executive Director