It is with the greatest sadness that I tell you, Randy has lost his battle with cancer at age 49, yesterday June 11, 2008.  He was surrounded by his family and loved ones as he died comfortably without pain.

We have much to be thankful for.  Being diagnosed in November 2005, his best prognosis was six months of life.  He defied that with incredible courage and had two and a half years of living and loving life to the fullest maintaining an excellent quality of life.  Two weeks ago he was in the gym working out.  Three days later he was in intensive care.  Because of his rapid change in his ability to breathe it was initially believed he had developed pneumonia or a fungal infection in his lungs.  He received the most incredible care at Barnes Hospital here in St. Louis but sadly it became evident he was at the end stage of his cancer with angiosarcoma consuming his lungs.

Randy was the embodiment of optimism with his incredible strength of body, mind and spirit.  He taught us all a lot about living and loving.  Please continue forward to see him, his paintings and re-read his amazingly insightful letters about life.  In the words of his cousin Lydia, "thank Randy for making the world a better place; we were so fortunate to know him, touched by his kindness, his love and his wonderful spirit".

Randy will be cremated with his remains interred at Shalom Memorial in Skokie Illinois.  His sister Liane is planning a memorial service for Randy in Chicago in August and I am planning a memorial service for him here in St. Louis in September.  The dates will be announced when the details are finalized.

With all my love, for all of you who have been a part of Randy’s life,

Charlie