A nod to an old friend, football colleague, classmate, and farming neighbor..., Dan Hookstead, 1955 - 2014

Having worked on an ambulance for years and having done the Army thing in the Cold War and the end of 'Nam, I like to pretend I am immune from the sadness of death. But,an old friend, football colleague, classmate, and farming neighbor's passing really hits home.

Dan Hookstead passed away a couple days ago. We both chewed some of the same Lima Center, Wisconsin, dairy farm culture dirt back in the 1960s and 70's. Dan grew up on his family's farm less than a mile from my family's farm. We both survived the last throes of the small rural American school system, both attending the small Lima Center, Wisconsin, First through Sixth Grades country school. We are both probably better off for it. Later at Whitewater Junior High and then High School, we waded through the challenge of being "the outsiders from the little country school," among all the city kids.

Back at Lima Center School with no equipment, we played tackle football to the angst of our teachers, Then later at Whitewater High School under the tutelage of legendary Coach Jim Crummey, we played Varsity football together. Dan's Senior year we won the Southern Lakes Conference Football Championship. The next year when I was a Senior, we repeated the task.

While on the sidelines during a play in Dan's Senior year, there occurred one of the few plays I ever winced too. I will always remember Coach Crummey's comment to his Assistant Coach regarding that hit to an opponent player dished out by Dan. "Good God, Jack..., did you hear Hookstead's hit; you could hear that other kid's bones crack throughout the entire stadium." Here's to you Dan. We chewed some of the same Wisconsin dirt.

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