Paul Gustin

To try to explain or describe a thirty-year friendship in a few words is impossible. Paul Gustin and I (George Kellar) started running around together our sophomore year and didn't stop running until his untimely death in 1990.

Thirty years of adventures and misadventures through H.S., college and the early years of our ADULT? lives - Halloween, cherry bombs, pumpkins at Anne Barr's and Peggy Miller's houses; (and every house between); honking horns at Parkmoor Drive-in; driving the rent-a cop crazy; the 100+mph drive-by on Paul's Harley while waving to Jack A. during band practice at DeWeese; Nugent's bachelor party when Paul's 'vette caught fire and we left it at C.W. with the fire department and hitched a ride to the party (priorities ); two guys in front and three in the trunk going to the drive-in; the fishin' trip to Michigan when we brought back -0- fish and a 14-day-old deer; Fri/Sat nights on High Street and some long, slow drives back up the road to Otterbein; the weekday, work night phone call, "Gustin, get a mug and get over here," to the unlocked Michelob draft truck, two folding chairs, literally flowing beer and a glorious sunrise; after- work meetings at Casa Lupita- -much more that appropriately will go unrecorded with Paul’s being gone and my pleading the Fifth. We didn't miss out on much!

Most important, sharing the challenges of growing up, trying to figure out who we were and where we fit in the world, weddings, kids, careers--all the while knowing that through it all someone had your back, unqualified and without question. I miss my friend.