[VFB] Murf Update

[Byard Miller]

A bunch of you have asked for further details on Dave's passing. I really don't have much to offer except that I did talk to Lena last night. Apparently Dave was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday with heart problems. Lena spent the rest of the week with him there and complications occurred. Dave passed away peacefully around 4 AM on Saturday. Lena is doing as well as can be expected. She's surrounded by David's and her family. I'm so proud of Sara, the youngest, as she''s been the stalwart. She's contacted as many of Dave's friends as possible, she's fielded phone calls and she's supported her Mom through the ordeal. She's a great kid! In case you missed earlier posts, the service will be held on Saturday the 22nd at 10 AM at... Emmanuel United Church of Christ 124 Broadway Hanover, PA 17331 In lieu of flowers donations may be made in David's name to the Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. And once again condolences may be sent to... Lena Murphy and Family 14126 Harrisville Rd Mount Airy  MD  21771-7914 The shock of losing one of my very best friends is waning now. Instead today has been filled with a cascade of memories. Murf returning to the car, covered head to toe in mud, one hip boot being dragged behind. Clip clop. clip clop. Sitting on the back porch of his cabin, sipping a fine cab, shelling peanuts (hey - don't knock it until you've tried it) and listening to Dave's many stories. Yes, I said listening. It was always a challenge to get in a word edgewise with Dave. Or instructing my friend that it's four minutes, NOT twenty, that you allow fresh, tender July corn on the cob to boil! And then there was the day on the Breeches. I had headed downstream expecting Dave to tag along. Hours later, having not heard from him, I fished my way back. There he was, at the outlet of the "Ditch", fishing. I remember asking why he was still there and how he had done. He was frustrated and said that he was fishless but couldn't leave because of the fish in sight. I said "like that one?" as I made a quick flip cast, hooked and landed a nice 16 incher. Three fish on my line after that, Dave was ready to head home! It was fun to torment Dave that way...but it was only out of fondness. I could go on forever with stories as there are so many, But a bit about Dave's family. There is no doubt that Lena and Dave were in love, it was almost teenage like. You could see it when they were together, you could hear it in Dave's conversations. Only second to that was Dave's love for his kids. I only had the opportunity to meet Sara and Paul. With one bat of the eye Sara could win the heart of all she encountered. Paul seemed to know that and remained aloof, confidant in the fact the he as well had his parents love in tow. You folks have expressed an interest in some sort of a tribute fly in Dave's memory. I applaud you for your efforts and well wishes. Please don't consider me as being selfish or uncaring, but I'm going to do something a bit different. I am indeed going to tie one of Murf's favorites. And then I'm going to go out and catch a trout on that fly. After which, it will be retired...not  just the fly, but the pattern. Much in the same way as a sports star has his jersey number retired. I will then write a nice long letter to Lena and the kids so that they will know that I am still thinking of my friend Murf and his loved ones. There's a pool on an unnamed stream in an unnamed state that Dave would stand at and fish for hours. He'd work it upstream and he'd work it down. That unnamed pool on that unnamed stream will forever and always be referred to by me as Murf's Pool. When I visit it next, I will fish it upstream and I will fish it down, and I will think only of Dave. Rest in peace my friend. ...byard Byard Miller Line's End Inc <http://www.linesend.com> Virtual Flybox <http://www.virtualflybox.com>