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I had some time to go back and review some old posts by Seahawk and realized what a treasure this website will always be for his family. (The bolding is mine). For as long as this forum is up, they can go back and experience his unique wisdom and grace as captured here. And we can too.

He has a clear emotional intelligence hidden in a somewhat blunt style. He could be remarkably sensitive and humane, and was blessed with an ability to express himself when he wanted to. His posts about dogs and Angela came back to me:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

What first attracted me to this place, and has kept me here, are the Angela's of this BBS.
I frankly am so impressed at the ability of certain people here to write like you imagine them to be, want them to be, what they then prove to be. That is a gift: Moses, Nostatic, Angela and other's. She had a light, a way, a cadence that I came to admire and respect, laugh with. The best. I was sorry I lived a continent away. Heavy heart. We are not guaranteed tomorrow but we can guarantee memories...for that I thank her.
My best to Angela and her family.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The best threads here are the dog threads; dogs living large posts and the threads that ask for understanding when our dogs pass.

Beautiful dog, frosty2...I bet, wherever dogs post on the web, bet me Labs do not have a website, you are getting some dog props the way you raised and cared for her.
They know, we know and it is why we do it.
Best to you and your time with Gracie. You'd start it all over tomorrow, so would she.

He has a strong service identity that never left him... disciplined, practical, oriented towards execution. I imagine there are scores of younger servicemen that feel even more strongly than we do how fortunate they were to know him.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

There are more cliches' describing life's roils than grains of sand; more notions on how to improve than actual improvement.
So, pick one, or don't. It is that easy since there are no new revelations. You get to decide whether you get in touch with your lost youth or your lost friend, you get to ride the horse or stay in the stable, shoveling manure. Choices mean responsibility, commitment. Opt in or opt out. Your call. That is the essence and beauty of life...you get to make the call.
My Dad, the engineer, told me that life resembles a sinusoidal wave (he ready did), and that it is best to take a steady pull, dampen the troughs and the highs, understand the immutable laws of life: sometimes you're the bat, sometimes your're the ball.
One last thing, as trite and time honored a navy cliche' as has ever been written: Don't steer by the wake.
I wish you all the best.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Your answer is right there...the question, which you have no doubt wrestled with, is how; and, should that not be possible, how to dissengage without further damaging NV's life.
There is of course, no right answer. The possible "what if's" are as varied as they are immutable.
In the Navy, we have a saying when in the midst of turmoil: "Don't steer by the wake..."
Set a course with NV, expect turmoil, adjust the subsequent course based on your vast experience and knowledge, looking forward. I wish you all the best and following seas, Mr. Clay. NV is a very fortunate man should he choose to not steer by the wake.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Concerning the comments on Denis and his skills, I would not have done this without him. He spent a month working on my house here in Maryland so I got a sense of his ethic and mindset. I asked him back to help on other projects and he did, with the same outstanding results.
I am very much a straight ahead guy: build the schedule, find the right folks and execute and adjust as required.
Denis sees things I don't, has more of an artistic bent to his mechanical/professional endeavors. We flourish(ed) because we appreciate each others point of view, never clash and will take the time to reach consensus. We listen to each other.
Back to the car. I had time for the car to undergo Denis' tender mercies (we both felt it important to drive the car as much as possible locally to find the weak points before heading across the country): he gets to turn his attention in the manner he feels wise, I get to learn from him and benefit from his OCD

And then perhaps my favorite series... his taking in of Mr. Curtis. The humanity here, and the understanding of his fellow man's needs, are off the charts.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Mr. Curtis hunted rabbits on my farm for years: The hunt was always well done, Beagles at the fore, and we always coordinated the hunt so all dogs were covered.
Zero, less than zero issues.
We all get older. So did Mr. Curtis. So am I.
He and I have yakked and poked fun for the past few years because he has a place where my MIL lives...not assisted living but close.
He asked me last year if he could could plant a garden at my farm. I immediately said I'll talk to my wife...she loves Mr. Curtis but I have no idea what a plant or garden is.
He has a plot now and he likes to watch the plants grow, his term. I get him once or twice a week and he does his thing. Today was warm so after a few minutes, he found the exact right spot with my Dottie, who would not leave his side, excellent breeze off the Potomac.
Great breeze, Osprey's in the air and "his girl" by his side. Hard to see Dottie on his left but she stayed within five feet the whole hour plus.
Back to the apartment.

Mr. Curtis was born about three miles from my farm, owned his own business...he didn't want my help.
I post this because we forget, I know I do, how much the simple kindnesses really matter.

Happy Sunday

I think we were in the presence of greatness, actually. And he would be the first to push back- hard- against that in his humble way, but the forum has spoken. This is a man shaped by service, responsibility, machines, weather, and countless interactions with his fellow man. All of which he learned from, and patiently shared with everyone he interacted with.
We shall not look upon his like again. My sincere best wishes to him and his family in such difficult circumstances.