Hunter Allen (11/17/78 – 04/24/08)

Hunter Allen

On Friday I received a phone call at work with news that my friend Hunter Allen had passed away.

Prior to moving out to Vermont to work on the Dean campaign, Hunter was one of my closest friends in Los Angeles. He’s actually the person who got me involved with Dean in the first place. In late 2002 he invited me to a press conference where Rob Reiner endorsed Howard Dean — to say I was impressed with the then-Vermont Governor would be an understatement. Just a few months later Hunter moved to Vermont to work on the campaign and, thanks in large part to his urging, I followed along a few weeks later.

We had a blast together — two Los Angeles gays roughing it in the outback of Vermont (and Canada), then, just as we were about to sign a lease and move in together for the rest of the campaign, he was shipped off to Iowa for the caucuses.

After the Dean campaign, Hunter moved back to Los Angeles and I moved to DC. We lost touch for a while but in the last year we’d started talking again — I’d planed on seeing him this summer when I’m out in California. When we spoke three weeks ago I don’t think I ever would have guessed it would be the last time I would hear his voice.

I’m still raw from the news. I’m trying to make sense of it, though I don’t know that I ever will. What I do know, is that I’m going to miss Hunter and wish I could have told him how much I valued our friendship before he passed away.

Photo compliments of Michael Silberman.

April 26, 2008 | Filed Under Personal | Comment

Photos from my trip to Spain…

I went to Spain (Madrid and Seville) with my good friend Portia over the Winter holiday and I’ve finally gotten around to putting all of the photos I took online. Check them out by clicking here.

February 4, 2008 | Filed Under Personal, Photos, Travel | Comment

Photos From My 29th Birthday Party

Here are the photos from my 29th birthday party.

February 24, 2007 | Filed Under Personal, Photos | Comment

Obituary: Grandpa Jack Harvey (1920-2007)

My Grandfather’s obituary ran yesterday in the Sun-Sentinel. Here it is:

Harvey, John J. (Jack), beloved husband of June Gerlach Harvey, passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2007. Residing in South Florida for forty years and a 30 year resident of Lauderdale by the Sea, he was born in Philadelphia, PA April 24, 1920. He began his career at General Electric before entering the Air Force as a photographer from 1943-1946 and then served as an officer in the Philadelphia Police Department from 1950-1966. After moving to Florida in 1967 he became a partner in Economy Paving and Landscape Company. He was a proud member of the American Legion Police Post - 35 years; Masonic Lodge No. 211 - 35 years; and a life member of BPOE. He is survived by his loving wife, June Gerlach Harvey; stepchildren: Marian Sue Frisch (Al), CA and Paul V. Gerlach, Washington D.C.; grandchildren: Lesly Bosch Annen (Mac), TX, Katie Frisch, CO, Karl V. Frisch, Washington D.C., Kristina I. Frisch, CA; and great-grandchildren: Garrett and Shelby Annen. Arrangements pending. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice by the Sea, 1531 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33486-3395.