Definitely a case of thinking out loud

A lot of people died in the past couple of days. I know this statistically speaking. I didn't personally know any of them. I knew of two of them by their reputations only. Very good reputations. They each made huge, positive contributions to this world in which we live. And this world needs all the positive influence it can get.

One was known by millions nationally. The other by a few hundred locally. They lived good, long lives and did a lot in those life times. And the world has lost a little brightness today.

Joe Paterno coached football at Penn State for, well, forever. No other coach in college athletics has the longevity he had. He contributed to that school, and to that community, and to the lives of the men that played for him. In the end he was abandoned by the administration at that school. He was fired in November. Not because of anything he did. More because many, including himself, thought he hadn't done enough. And when the focus should have been on the guilty party, instead it was turned on to Coach Paterno. Hopefully all that will be forgotten in the coming days as many will be asked to comment on his legend.

Mario Pastega owned the Pepsi distributorship here in Corvallis for 50 years. In that time he became the philanthropist of Corvallis. His main passions were health care and education. He probably gave away more money then i'll ever make! And he was humble about it. He sold the company a few years ago. Even into his 90's he was in the office every day. One of the many endeavors he helped fund was the Mario Pastega house. It is near the hospital, and is a place for people who come from out of town to be near family members in the hospital. He stopped in every day. He chatted with different ones there, never telling them who he was, just giving them someone to talk to. Corvallis is a better place because of Mr. Pastega, and is a little sadder place today because of his passing.

Both men lived long lives, 85 and 95 respectively. Both were married for many, many years to their first wife. The world is a better place because of the impact they had on it. And today just a little sadness here because they are gone.

Thanks for the indulgence. Like i said, definitely just thinking out loud today.