SWCS Classmate Dan Sundquist has passed away

    NORTH SUTTON, New Hampshire - Classmate Dan Sundquist passed away this morning at his lakeside home here.
     He told me in October he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
     His wife Sara told me today he died very peacefully and without any pain.
     Dan and I were friends and track competitors in our years at SWCS. But it was in the last six or seven years that we reconnected, discovering we had led somewhat parallel lives.
     I visited Dan and Sara's New Hampshire home several times. He loved the place but was planning a major move to Wyoming when he discovered the cancer.
    Losing any of our classmates is hard. This one is tragic for me.
     And if I may be permitted to let my professional journalism guard down, I have to admit I am so goddamn tired of writing obituaries for all these good people we went to high school with. I weep for all of them. 
     I know we all have to - in Dan Sunquist's words to me - "cross the Rainbow Bridge" someday. But it doesn't make it a scintilla easier.
   For tonight, rest in peace Dan. And "duerme con los angelitos..." - Sleep with the angels.