A wonderful mind

August 7, 2011 | Glenn Cordell

Vince was remarkable in so many ways.  Here is a picture from St. Petersburg, Russia, where he is actually trying to understand a sign written in the Cyrillic alphabet.  Most western visitors, myself included, would barely give it a second glance but he was curious enough to see if he could get the sense of it.

Even with the language barrier, Vince liked to talk with ordinary people.  At a restaurant one evening, he discovered his waiter fled from Iraq after the war started, and wanted Vince to explain why we invaded his country if we weren't trying to take their oil.  It was a challenge, but Vince tried.

It was fun traveling with Vince because he would notice small things.  He would point out to me the cat walking past pigeons eating crumbs on the sidewalk, each totally ignoring the other.  He took pictures of buttons in the elevator, street lights, young people holding hands, old beat-up cars, rainbows. 

Vince was inquisitive and thoughtful but flexible and easy going.  I hoped we might travel together to other strange lands someday.  He had hopes and dreams for his retirement years.  I'm thankful our paths crossed but feel a deep sense of loss his ended too soon.  Thanks for the memories, Vince.  I'll always remember you.

Glenn Cordell