Clay Marc Bond, professor (Indiana University and Penn State University), blogger (Right Wing Prof), Steelers fan, and my good friend, passed away on this date in 2010. He was only 53 years old.
Longtime readers may remember Right Wing Prof. He commented here often, and he traveled to Philly in 2007 for a meet and greet. Clay was one of the most kind, generous people you could ever meet. When I was diagnosed with skin cancer, he was more concerned with my meaningless little surgery than his Stage 4 lung cancer. It was that cancer which eventually bested him.
A month before he passed, I drove to Altoona to see him in hospice. When I walked in, he pointed to the whiteboard which read, “WYATT.” He asked me why I traveled all that way to see him, a question which made me well up in tears. He didn’t think he was worth the trouble. Had I known it would be the last time I would ever see him I probably would have stayed for a few days.
I miss Clay a lot. He was one of the first close friends I ever lost, and the first of a few who I lost to cancer.
God bless you, Clay. I hope they get Penguins and Steelers games in Heaven. It’s been ten years, and I will do my best to remember you on this date for the rest of my days.
The O.K. Corral 
Sorry for your loss, Wyatt. Hope we have better luck in the next year finding a cure for many types of this horrible disease. I like that he was a Steelers’ fan. I never missed a game when they had Bradshaw, mean Joe Greene, Franco Harris and the one Steeler I actually met, Lynn Swann. I loved those guys!
LikeLike
I do remember his commenting here (on the old blog), but I was not fortunate enough to have met him. You just gave him a heartwarming eulogy, proof of an undying friendship. Remember, he is in a better place, and no longer suffering. Stay strong, Mate.
LikeLike
Ronni – He loved the Steelers and was just getting into hockey. Watched Pens games all the time.
TX Nick – He was a very good man.
LikeLike
I am sorry about your friend. My first thought was, I remember when he passed. My second thought was, have I really been following you for over 10 years. Then I realized my son was in high school when I was following First In which lead me to you shortly thereafter, and he has been out for over 10 years.
LikeLike
Ingineer – I started my first blog in 2004, Came back full-time on D-Day 2005. When I started, I think Erik, who’s a high school sophomore now, was only a few months old.
LikeLiked by 1 person