I had an opportunity to sit on a beach along the Chesapeake Bay and 
chat with Ev just a couple of weeks prior to his passing.  Though he 
was not feeling well, he managed to make it on this North Carolina 
Shell Club field trip.  We talked about so many things related to 
shelling and beyond for an hour.  The shell collecting became less 
important it seemed.  At dinner we sat next to each other and 
continued our discourse together and with the group.  He still was 
not looking well.  As was his stubborn nature, he forced himself to 
go on the field trip.

Little did I (we) know that this would be the last time I would see 
Ev.  Ev was my self proclaimed big brother in the shell world.  I've 
known him it seems like forever, yet not as long as I've known others 
in our small community.  His positive influence on me, though, was 
profound.  He had a kind and caring nature that was masked by his 
larger-than-life military/Marines persona.  It just took a small 
amount of time spent with him to find out that he was a gentle giant 
with a streak of wit that transcended his gruff image.

Like Karlynn and others, I'm still reeling from the news.  R.I.P. big 
brother...

Rich G.

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