I had known Al for almost seven years. I thought he was quietly remarkable, for he truly reflected Tom Brokaw's greatest generation. Al served in the military and was a good citizen who voted, paid his taxes, and kept himself informed about current events. He worked hard all his life and managed to raise children under very difficult circumstances – even sending two of them to expensive private universities. He was, moreover, a giver and not a taker. In a "rights" and "entitlement" age, where folks expect something for nothing, Al was proud and self reliant and never asked for a handout. Instead, he freely gave to charities of all sorts and showed a level of concern for the less fortunate that is truly unique given his conservative political philosophy. He was, moreover, always a gentleman, and, while I frequently disagreed with him on political topics, I always respected his point of view for its legitimate concerns about the state of our country. The world is a less interesting place with Al's passing, for he represented a generation that helped to make the United States the greatest country in the world. For this, as well as for other personal reasons, I will miss my courtly and genteel southern father in law. May he find happiness now with his beloved wife Carleeta, and may he be working on TV distribution issues up in heaven, for I suspect they need that even up there. Michael Petrowsky
