Family, friends, and other loved ones are mourning the loss of local 45-year resident Harold Lampert, who would have turned 89 on July 21st. Mr. Lampert will be remembered for his great sense of dedication to his work as a landscaper, his devotion to family, and for never having paid back that $27.34 that he has owed me since 1994.
Though some may remember him as a generous man, he will also be remembered by others as forgetful of things such as debts owed to dear friends after having forgotten his wallet at a decent sit-down restaurant while on a vacation in Tallahassee. Indeed, the majority of people may recall that he paid for the first semester of tuition for each of his grandchildren, which has totaled in the tens of thousands so far. There are a few of his dedicated acquaintances who are aware that he also had a stingy side of what may appear to be lesser amounts of money, up to and including $30, adjusting for inflation. All will certainly agree, however, that Mr. Lampert died with a clear conscience, and no regrets, although perhaps he should have made some attempt at a deathbed redemption of sorts, regarding an inequitable transaction from years past.
Harold died of natural causes, which may or may not include crippling guilt about neglecting his responsibilities to keep the social order regarding common decency toward his fellow humankind. Although such guilt may not be medically measurable at present, the doctors credit his longevity to regular exercise, which he maintained with daily walks, and probably the occasional running from debt collectors whom he may or may not have owed small, but not trivial, sums of cash.
Harold's family is glad to see him finally at peace. There will be a public viewing where that shameless smirk can be witnessed by all on Wednesday of this coming week, at Our Lady's Grace church.
In lieu of flowers, please think really hard about anybody you might owe some money, even if it's from years back, and send them a check and a card with an apology.