Edgar Alan Brightbill

I never knew Edgar, but I am reading a book I bought from Second Reading in West Chester a few years ago. A hundred pages in, and an old faded receipt from a bar in Berkeley, from 2001, popped out. I love marginalia and the like so I took it over to a light and made out the details, including the name Edgar Ala. Brightbill. So I googled him, thinking I might reach out and mention that I have his old book. I guess the world works in mysterious ways with timing like this. But I hope his family...

I am deeply saddened to hear the news about Alan's passing and my thoughts and prayers go to the family in this tough time. We spent lots of time together in the neighborhood growing up. He was a great friend, always up for a bike ride or ready to go kick the soccer ball around at Westtown School. We swam in the Brightbill pool and raided the cokes in the garage, among other antics. Thanks for the fun times and rest easy my friend.

My deepest condolences to the Brightbill family. Regrettably, I fell out of touch with Alan for several decades after growing up with him in Westtown, but we later reconnected online. As anyone who knew him can attest, his creative, intellectual, and political spirit burned brightly and brought much that is memorable and valuable into this world. He will be missed. Rest in peace, old friend.

My sincere condolences to Alan´s family on his passing. Alan was as enigmatic a friend as I´ve ever had, yet he fascinated me with his knowledge of so many things, and I truly loved my interactions with him, although too infrequent. I´ll miss him. Mike Maloney