I did not know Edmund at Bentley, or when I heard about his death on the national news. It was not until Denise Collins-Robison told me, that I knew he had been a part of our class. If you are like me, you did not know that Edmund was the Chicago pediatrician who eventually moved to Afganistan to "train younger doctors" and "make sure people everywhere had good access to medical care". And, like me, you did not know that, Edmund, a person from our class was one of three American doctors senselessly gunned down in front of the very hospital in which he had helped so many. What a shame that someone with such an obviously good heart and spirit was taken in such a tragic and senseless act of violence. He must have been a very special person. I wish now that I would have gotten to know him. I also wonder now, how many others of our over 700 class members were/are special people and, like me, so many of us don't even know it.
Stuart, Not sure if Jay Asquini or Brian Weber posted about Jerry's funeral, so I apologize if this is redundant. Jay, who I have been fortunate to remain in close contact with over the years, notified me of Jerry's death and we quickly dropped everything and drove to Chicago to hook-up with Brian, who I hadn't seen since high school. The funeral was deeply moving with the a US Army general calling for Jerry to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor and the governor of Illinois offering heartfelt condolences. The gymnasium at the Lawdale Community Center complex was overflowing with a rich range of folks, including former patients, co-workers, family and friends from various times in Jerry's life. Jay and Brian had been friends with Jerry since kindergarten, with my friendship only beginning in high school. That being said, I have spent the rest of my life asking about Jerry and looking forward to reconnecting with him as he was one of the most genuine folks I have known. I also thought of him every time I ran the cross country course at Cass Benton, where I vividly recall Jerry sliding down a hill on the side of a hairpin turn on a rainy day in a 6 mile scrimmage vs. Stevenson. At the end of the day, I am stilll struck by Jerry being the real deal, someone who knew what he was called to do and willing to die in the service of others. I left the funeral motivated to be a better human being. Thanks for the reminder...
Stuart A. Flaherty
I did not know Edmund at Bentley, or when I heard about his death on the national news. It was not until Denise Collins-Robison told me, that I knew he had been a part of our class. If you are like me, you did not know that Edmund was the Chicago pediatrician who eventually moved to Afganistan to "train younger doctors" and "make sure people everywhere had good access to medical care". And, like me, you did not know that, Edmund, a person from our class was one of three American doctors senselessly gunned down in front of the very hospital in which he had helped so many. What a shame that someone with such an obviously good heart and spirit was taken in such a tragic and senseless act of violence. He must have been a very special person. I wish now that I would have gotten to know him. I also wonder now, how many others of our over 700 class members were/are special people and, like me, so many of us don't even know it.
Denise Collins-Robison (Collins)
I didn't know Jerry personally either, though remember seeing him around school & he always seemed friendly.Dave did know him & recalls him as very smart & goal focused, but also a real nice & happy guy.
What a special human being & contributor to this world, & what a tragic, senseless loss. Life sure doesn't make sense sometimes.
Steve P. Spreitzer
Stuart, Not sure if Jay Asquini or Brian Weber posted about Jerry's funeral, so I apologize if this is redundant. Jay, who I have been fortunate to remain in close contact with over the years, notified me of Jerry's death and we quickly dropped everything and drove to Chicago to hook-up with Brian, who I hadn't seen since high school. The funeral was deeply moving with the a US Army general calling for Jerry to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor and the governor of Illinois offering heartfelt condolences. The gymnasium at the Lawdale Community Center complex was overflowing with a rich range of folks, including former patients, co-workers, family and friends from various times in Jerry's life. Jay and Brian had been friends with Jerry since kindergarten, with my friendship only beginning in high school. That being said, I have spent the rest of my life asking about Jerry and looking forward to reconnecting with him as he was one of the most genuine folks I have known. I also thought of him every time I ran the cross country course at Cass Benton, where I vividly recall Jerry sliding down a hill on the side of a hairpin turn on a rainy day in a 6 mile scrimmage vs. Stevenson. At the end of the day, I am stilll struck by Jerry being the real deal, someone who knew what he was called to do and willing to die in the service of others. I left the funeral motivated to be a better human being. Thanks for the reminder...
Judy J. Juntunen (House)