I remember Opie, and I am so sad to hear of his passing. As with many of you, I had lost contact with him over the years. Opie and I grew up in the same neighborhood in south La Crosse. We played together as young boys. Opie had the greatest toys. I remember he had a plastic model of the USS Forestall aircraft carrier that he got as a kit. We were so envious. Also, I remember he was an incredible baseball player. Funny how these images remain in your head after all these years. but I can still see him taking a mighty swing at bat. It was perfect form with a solid connect for a home run. I can still hear the sound. I was so impressed! My wife and I moved back to La Crosse in the late 70's and, by chance, ran into him again. We were still good friends for that brief moment, and he was the same Opie.
Charles Weldy (Weldy)
I remember Opie, and I am so sad to hear of his passing. As with many of you, I had lost contact with him over the years. Opie and I grew up in the same neighborhood in south La Crosse. We played together as young boys. Opie had the greatest toys. I remember he had a plastic model of the USS Forestall aircraft carrier that he got as a kit. We were so envious. Also, I remember he was an incredible baseball player. Funny how these images remain in your head after all these years. but I can still see him taking a mighty swing at bat. It was perfect form with a solid connect for a home run. I can still hear the sound. I was so impressed! My wife and I moved back to La Crosse in the late 70's and, by chance, ran into him again. We were still good friends for that brief moment, and he was the same Opie.