9/30/2007 1:53 PM

 

All,

Dale Jensen and I were roommates from 1982 to 1984. My three years living with Dale at UW-LaCrosse were three of the most memorable and best years of my life. Before I met Dale I had never played rugby, I had never drank beer for breakfast, and I had never believed in myself as much as I did when I was with Dale. There were many firsts in my time with Dale. In general, Dale taught me to live life FULL SPEED AHEAD. The only thing bigger than Dale’s appetite for fun was the size of his heart. Dale never let me down in any way, shape or form. He is the best roommate I have ever had. I don’t know if I could have kept up with Dale if I had stayed in Wisconsin, it was a wild ride.

I also had the privilege of being there when Kathy and Dale met. I instantly knew that Kathy was the only woman who had an outside chance at corralling Dale and take caring of him at the same time. She is and was a class act, and is one of the nicest, sweetest, strongest human beings I have ever met.

Kathy – you and your boys are in my heart and prayers forever. I am so sorry I can not be there for you this week. I promise to come visit when I get back to the US in two years. I now live in Shanghai, China, but will be back and I promise to come and visit. I never wanted to be home and back in Wisconsin more than right now.

I owe many of my “rites of passage” decisions to Dale and his wisdom as my “older brother roommate” . When I moved to Dallas, Texas in 1984, I swore to keep in touch and stay connected. It didn’t happen.

Somehow I lost touch with Dale, Kathy, and many others over the past twenty five years – except for Christmas cards each year, and occasional letters. I always believed in my heart I would someday have more time to hang out with Dale and my other friends from Wisconsin – never taking the time to connect or attend alumni events etc. Always too busy. Now my chance to spend time with Dale is over and I will regret it for the rest of my life. Please call someone you have been meaning to call, or plan to visit a old friend. Don’t put it off – life it too short.

Dale – I love you for all of the fun we had and memories we will always share. God Bless You.

Jeff Asmus

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Filed under: La Crosse Wisconsin

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