On February 9, Kansas City lost one of its top cheerleaders. Jim Fitzpatrick died after suffering heart failure while playing golf on vacation in Florida. He was only 76. Way too soon. Continue reading
[I’m pausing postseason baseball talk to honor two of Kansas City’s finest. More baseball talk soon – Astros and Phillies in the World Series.]
Last Thursday, October 20, 2022, two of Kansas City’s greatest storytellers died. Paul Vardeman at age 92. Bert Bates at age 96. In the last Hot Stove, I covered Paul Vardeman. Today, Bert Bates. Continue reading
[I’m pausing postseason baseball talk to honor two of Kansas City’s finest. More baseball talk soon – Astros and Phillies in the World Series.]
Last Thursday, October 20, 2022, two of Kansas City’s greatest storytellers died. Paul Vardeman at age 92. Bert Bates at age 96. In this Part One, Continue reading
[Excerpted from Hot Stove #185, posted on February 17, 2022.]
Charlie Hart – Political Insider: Charles Curry first won office as presiding judge in 1962 and was reelected in 1966. Curry was building a political organization, the Committee for County Progress (the CCP, occasionally referred to as Charles Curry’s Party). Charlie Hart became active in the CCP and helped Curry and his team win big in 1966, including victories for Alex Petrovic and Charlie Wheeler who joined Curry on the 3-judge county court. Below, Curry (middle) celebrating those victories with Alex Petrovic (left) and Charlie Wheeler. Continue reading
In the fall of 1964, I started law school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. I soon met second-year student Wayne Tenenbaum, and we immediately hit it off. It was a friendship that continued uninterrupted for the next 57 years. Wayne died on January 23, 2022, at the age of 80. Obituary here.
“Hi, my name is Ray Webb. Perhaps you’ve heard of me.”
That was Ray Webb’s trademark opening line when he met someone new. A lot of people had indeed heard of Ray. And a good number of us will never forget him.
Friends of Woody:
I’m Lonnie Shalton, also a Friend of Woody. I’m very honored that Jane asked me to speak to you today. Continue reading
Thanksgiving week is approaching. To Rita and me, this means we are close to the date of the birthday of Joe Reres. On November 27, Joe would have been 97. After Joe died on July 4, I assembled some thoughts about our time together. With Joe’s approaching birthday anniversary, this seems like a good time to share these memories. As you celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family, please include a toast to Joe and Barbara.
Lonnie Continue reading
My dear friend Bob Morantz died in March. He was 73. Rita and I attended Bob’s memorial service in Florida on April 18.
