Randy Luvaas

2022.09.27

I just finished rummaging through a box full of photos, clippings and letters that I had collected during my tenure at The Meadville Tribune, from 1975 to 1978, and came across a letter from Randy, filled with his thoughtfulness and witticisms. I smiled as I read the two-page chronicle of how things were going at the Tribune (I had left the Tribune a few months earlier earlier and was working then at the Lewistown, Pa., Sentinel) and how he was doing.

We were separated only by a year in age, so we had become pretty good friends during my two-year stint at the Trib. Making friends was something Randy did quite well. We had many good laughs during that space of time. We both played guitar and sang, and we even dreamed together about starting a comic strip -- he was to provide the gags and I would draw the characters.
My next job put an end to that endeavor, but we sure had fun thinking up gags until I left.

Returning to matters at hand, I decided to look him up as soon as I finished reading his his letter... twice... only to be saddened to read of his passing. I just sat in silence for awhile, remembering those good times.

His letter to me ended with: "Well, I just wanted to drop you a note of congratulations. Also to remind you of another little custom we have around here. Whenever anyone leaves and finds a new job, it's his duty to buy a case of beer and show up sometime for a party after work."
Good Lord, how I wish I had.

Rest well, my friend.