On growing up across the street from Jack Eidelman:

The following is part of an email written to Andy by Bob Moog, one of his best friends and part of the “Davis Place” gang, who grew up directly across the street. 

Your Dad had an incredibly long and productive life -- maybe more full of adventure than almost anyone I can think of.  From golf to pole vaulting [humor] he was an incomparable athlete with a dry wit and a complicated, but caring mind.

Every family has its patriarch and your Dad lives on in you and your brothers in big ways and little ways. He also lives on in all of us.

Everyone has a small group of people outside of their parents who are pivotal to who they are and how they think. Believe it or not--your Dad was one of those people for me. He taught me lots of lessons over the years, but three come to mind right now:

1. Jeff Glik’s Thumb: I have probably told a hundred people the story of Glik’s thumb sucking and your Dad's help. It sounds silly, but I guess I was at an impressionable age where it made me see that we are in control of what we do and who we are. He inspired me to fight peer pressure and to know I could do anything if I trusted my will power.

2. Golf in the Front yard: My Dad used to sit at the dinner table and look out at your Dad hitting balls in the front yard and Dad would comment that he had never been that dedicated to anything. He said that we all should find something that we loved as much as your Dad liked hitting golf balls. It would guide us and be a constant throughout our lives. No kidding--I decided that I would become an expert on Trivia. (Golf looked too hard).

3. Book Gift: When I started University Games, your Dad gave me a book to read. It was a little paperback that I think he may have given to you or your brothers. Anyway, it was all about how to solve problems and ways to look at issues in the world and in your life. It was really interesting, and for years I would use it as a reference book for making decisions -- kind of my personal Bible.  (I guess your Dad was my Moses.)

Anyway, I am really sorry for your loss--but Your Dad did it right and we will all remember what he taught us more than we will miss that he is gone. Please give my condolences to Ellie and the Brothers.