Today is my friend Kent's birthday. He is 50 years old today. Kent has been one of the most influential people in my life. I've written about him here several times before so I won't go through his bio again. Below is a list of things that I think make Kent great.
1. He always stays in shape. Even with a tough surgeon's schedule, and a family to raise you will never catch him unable to keep up with the group.
2. When Kent makes decisions he first decides what the kind thing to do is.
3. After deciding what the kind thing to do is he does it.
4. He decided to become a surgeon because he wanted to help people.
5. Kent is his wife Janet's biggest fan, and she is his.
6. Kent never wastes money, but truly enjoys the money he spends.
7. Kent donates time traveling to other countries to help under privileged people, and training other doctors.
8. Kent has climbed Denali, and many other peaks.
9. Kent overcame gear addiction. That must not have been an easy one.
10. There is no one who doesn't look up to Kent when they get to know him. Me especially.
Happy Birthday Ironman!
4 comments:
Thanks Rik for posting this. Knowing Kent's birthday was coming up, I've also been thinking about him. I hope you don't mind me adding to this pre-emptive eulogy.
I remember having a conversation with Kent not long after we met. We were discussing some political topic and I regurgitated some stance I assumed he shared. He startled me by asking, “do you really think that?”
Kent rarely does the “normal” thing. Perhaps the only downside to being his friend is that you are likely to end up feeling lazy and callous. Whether you look at his work or his personal life, there is impressive alignment between his convictions and actions, even though this has required him to take an often inconvenient and unpopular path.
Thank you Rik.
I am honored to be your friend.
Kent
Nice tribute to a great guy. And it's all true. Thanks Kent, for being a good example.
Thanks Rik! I think he is the bomb. (But I'm a bit biased.) And I think you are a good friend to my dear hubby. (And Dave and Brett, too.) And although I don't often enough appreciate your musical selections, this one rocks (Coldplay)!
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