In Memoriam

An indulgence, dear reader, if I may. Late last month, on a birthday call to my dear friend Ellen, I learned that my Seattle pal Kevin Hughes died suddenly, on the very day I started this blog, 25 December 2025. Kevin was addressed on all these posts, and ironically saw none of them. However his dear wife Ann-Marie has been getting them on Kevin's phone. Ann-Marie, if you're reading this, I wish I could be at Kevin's memorial service this weekend, but know that you, he and the boys will be in my thoughts on Sunday. Kevin was the very first friend I made in Seattle back in 1988, and he remained a close one for all of our time there. Lots of memories, including a guy-trip together to San Francisco, cutting up with Susan Trapnell during Leadership Tomorrow weekends and too many arts strategy meetings to count - Kevin was the chief lobbyist for the arts in Washington state (what arts community has its own dedicated lobbyist?) and taught me so well how important and legitimate political lobbying can and should be. My last sweet time with Kevin was five or six years ago, when he and Ann-Marie hosted a gathering for me at their home with a bunch of former colleagues and friends - from Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, Pacific Science Center and more. Our son Sam was with us on that trip to Seattle and came to the get-together. The next day Sam said to me "With friends like that, I can see why you miss Seattle so much." Indeed. Adios, Kevin...