To Bones

In Memory of Jim "Bones" Runge. 1960-2008

Our Brother Bones departed this world just days before our 2008 Annual. He had worked hard to help the committee arrange everything, and was determined to set the bar high as far as parties go. "After all, We're professionals." The weather guessers were forecasting rain for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's not hard to imagine that he had something to do with the fact that we saw nary a drop all weekend. Just pleasantly warm weather, cooler nights, stars we could look up to when we needed to imagine he was looking down on all the good times being had in his honor, and listen to all the stories we were telling about him.

He served his Brotherhood like he served his Country, with Courage, Honor, and commitment bordering on reckless abandon. While he was often a few minutes late, arriving in a cloud of tire smoke with an empty tank of gas, his boundless energy and giving nature would soon overwhelm one. Whatever the situation, Bones gave of himself, and was always worth waiting for.

He was a Sailor, Serving in the Navy, then later continuing to serve his country as a radiological technician at the shipyard. He was a father, and we were privileged to become acquainted with the fine young man he raised. Words cannot express the appreciation we feel in being included as part of Bones' family as we helped each other through the grieving process and helped each other to honor him.

A few weeks before he died, at one of our regular meetings, Bones asked us if we knew anyone with a sidecar so he could take his uncle for a Motorcycle ride. We found one, and honored Bones by taking one last ride with him. His Uncle Jim held Bones' ashes in an urn covered in red velvet, and Michael followed on his Dad's Springer Custom, wearing his dad's helmet. Those behind couldn't help but notice as the wind puffed up Michael's jacket how much like his dad he looked. We stopped by the river, and prayed, told Bones stories, and bid one more farewell to our Brother.