[Bear]

Some of you who frequent both Gretsch forums already know about my health taking a serious turn for the worse, but I felt I should post it here as well. I do not want to go into the issues that have befallen me but they are not good. I'll just leave it at that.

I've sold my 6120DC to a member of the other Gretsch forum to make sure my wife is covered on my final arrangements.

I told the other forum what I am about to ask of you as well. I do not want any donations, or contributions or anything like that. I have all bases covered. Please respect my wishes on this. There is nothing you need to do and nothing I want you to do.

I will stay on both forums as long as I am able and want things to just go on normally. I've known this was coming for a long time and I've got everything handled. Although I'm not anxious to depart, I am not afraid. I've led a great life, with great family and friends and I have no regrets. I've made my peace with MY LORD so I know where I'm going.

I guess that is all I need to say about this now. I'm just going to play out the hand I was dealt.

You're all great friends... Bear

[Pappy]

Bear, I talked to my crew about your flag and everyone is excited to fly it for you. We'll get it to you as soon as we can.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by Pappy

Bear, I talked to my crew about your flag and everyone is excited to fly it for you. We'll get it to you as soon as we can.

Thank you again Pappy! I will treasure it. I am so proud of our armed forces. We stopped at McDonalds on our way home from the doctor today and two sailors came in behind us. I bought their lunches for them. It was the least I could do. They seemed really pleased and joined Janice and I for lunch.

[Bengal65]

Bear, peace be with you, and as my prayers also will be. The Lord has you in his hands! Remember life eternal. God Bless.

Mark

[Jukebox]

May god bless you my friend! My prayers are for you and your family!

[Synchro]

Bear:

Words seem pretty insufficient right now but I will only say this much. Your contribution to the forum is invaluable and always enjoyable. You are always a great friend to everyone here and the samples of your playing are something I truly value. I've never heard anyone capture the feel of Chet's music as well as you.

I'm glad to hear that you feel you've made your peace. When I look at the natural world I am always reassured that out Creator is infinitely kind and loving to all of His creation so I don't worry about your future prospects one iota.

[KimK]

Originally Posted by Synchro

Bear:

Words seem pretty insufficient right now but I will only say this much. Your contribution to the forum is invaluable and always enjoyable. You are always a great friend to everyone here and the samples of your playing are something I truly value. I've never heard anyone capture the feel of Chet's music as well as you.

I'm glad to hear that you feel you've made your peace. When I look at the natural world I am always reassured that out Creator is infinitely kind and loving to all of His creation so I don't worry about your future prospects one iota.

Bear I cannot say it any better than Synchro, my prayers are with you and your family.

[Snorre]

Bear,

As a member of both forums, I wasn't sure what I could write that hasn't already been written. So I will start off by thanking you. My appreciation for your kindness, humor, and help on these forums is boundless. I wish you well on the next phase of this journey. From one Steve to another - Godspeed.

[getbent]

Bear, my Kentucky brother. This one is for you my friend.

[S Macp]

Bear,
I'd like to thank you for your contributions here, which have always been well thought-out, and well-mannered, and (for me) really set the tone of these forums.

I'll always be grateful for the History of Fingerstyle video you posted a while back, as that set me on a journey of discovery that I'll be on for many years to come. God bless you and keep you.

[Crooner]

Bear, you have made a significant and wonderful difference in everyone's life through the friendships born here. Everyone one of us is a better person for knowing you and this will never change. You are always a part of us. God bless you and keep you, my friend.

[Fchaudry]

Well Bear,
I May have be very new to this forum, but I have definitely witnessed how much everyone values your opinions and input. I, myself, have enjoyed watching your videos and jamming along. I look forward to sharing more with you, as I learn something every time I do.

[-PMK-]

I dont know you Bear but from the little i have read from you on the forums i belive you are a great man. God bless you Bear.

[Quietly]

If we are measured by our words Bear may I say you stand very, very tall.

[mikante]

Thanks for sharing Bear,
those are some real man's words,
thank you, I wish you all the best you could possible immagine.

[LATS]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your music with us. I know there's a God, 'cause he gives us people like you.

[araT]

You will be sorely missed and you will be in our minds & hearts for a long time, Bear.
Rock out in heaven, and crank that amp to 11 so we can still hear you!
My best to those closest to you, I wish you all peace.

[Doc Helliday]

bear, your kickass so keep on kicking ass.

[rockabilly-rebel]

You've made a difference on these forums Bear, and have had an Impact, and influenced many members!.
I will always be grateful of your kind words, compliments and guidance.
My thoughts are with you and your family Steve, your a genuine good guy, so keep on a rockin' and a pickin my friend!

[Michiel]

Gee Bear, that's bad news. I saw you hinting to that over yonder (GDP) and I wondered how serious it was. Sorry to see it's real serious.

Your resolve and acceptance moves me. I wish you and your family a lot of peace and strenght. Make the most of what you've got left.
Hopefully the forum can contribute a bit to that.

[ishtar]

Thanks for your good playing, Bear. Peace be with you and prayers and thoughts go to you and your family.

[Arfer MO]

All the best Bear mate. Mine and my wife's thoughts are with you and your family.

Arf and Mrs. Arf

[bobkat]

Bear, I read your post last night but was unable to write. I was guided to stop and wait. I am grateful I did. You are a wonderful musician and an all around great guy and as I have told you before I am a fan! I was upset by your news last night and didn't feel clear headed enough to write. I am so proud of our members here who have so eloquently stated truths that I agree with. I am sure you know, that, the material body is just a sad limited shadow of what we truly are. The qualities that I have seen in your posts and vids are so much more than a failing mortal body. I don't see you that way. Let me tell you what I see as the wonderful guy we call "Bear". I see, humor, strength, kindness and compassion, {with us who are not nearly as talented}, purity, perfection,{yes perfection,just watch one of your vids!!!}, Life, activity,peace, and gentleness,{kinda funny for a big old biker named Bear}, Unlimited Talent!! These are a just a few of the attributes that are the real "You" that God has created, just some ways to describe the you that is forever. Steve you are the expression of God, and He watches you and is overjoyed with his creation! This is the way that I pray for you, I will affirm your birthright as God's child! All is well.

Bob

[catman trio]

bear

although we never did meet in person,we did talk here on this forum and i feel
i know you as well as every person that is a member here.
i consider you all my friends. we all share a passion for gretsch,thats why we
are here.
i always thought that you were very knowledgeable on the subject of getsch
guitars and very patient answering everyones questions(even if these questions had already been asked a million times before).
your guitar playing is excellent from the samples i've heard.
my prayers are with you bear. god bless you and your family.


catman

[Geezer]

Steve. It can end (or begin I should say) at any time for any of us. We'll all be joining you soon, and I can't wait to meet you. Your kindness, love, wisdom, courage and talent has been an inspiration to me. It's folks like you that make this world bearable. See you there my friend.

[Ricochet]

Bear, we don't know eachother that well. But the heartfelt testimonials move me beyond anything I could possibly express in here. I hope you stick around for a long time.

[FrankieSixxxgun]

Holy crap, Bear! I didn't catch your post over on the Gretsch Pages forum, so thank you for posting over here too. Nothing I could type on the internet could do the severity of your situation justice, so I'll keep it short by saying that my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Godspeed, sir.

[Sarah93003]

Dear Steve, as sad as I feel, I would like to say thank you for your music and your wisdom that you have gratiously shared with us. My uncle taught me to recognize that every time I meet someone it is a sacred thing.

We are never promised the next moment so the only moment that matters is this one. He said the time we have here is limited and therefore when someone shares a bit of "their" time with us it is a great gift, something they can't get back. You have shared some of your time with us and given us such wonderful gifts. We are all so very grateful for these gifts.

I believe, like Love, that Music never dies. We will be able to enjoy your music for as long as we are here. Someday our paths will cross again and we will be jammin', making more music. We will see you on the other side my friend and it will be glorious. Much love to you.

[tartanphantom]

Steve, I'm already aware of your situation, having followed it on the GDP from your first post about it. By reading the posts there and over here, I think that it's clear how much people care about you.

We often never consider how much of an impact we have on the lives of others. But if we can make a difference, however small, it can alter the course of someone's life forever. Often times it may be something we say or do, that may seem insignificant at the time, but is remembered and cherished by those of whom it impacted.

You, my friend, have made a difference in the Gretsch community. The gregarious nature of your posts, and the sharing of your humor and your musical talents have endeared you to many whom you have never seen face-to-face.

Making a difference in life is what counts. And Steve, you have accomplished that in spades. As always, my prayers and best wishes are with you and your family.

[Kuroyama]

Bear

I havent "known" you long but what I know of you makes me proud to have "met" you. Like you I am not eager to get to the end of my journey, but to meet a man who has traveled as well as you have and to have his family and affairs taken so well care of... you set a standard sir. I can only hope that when my time comes I have my business handled as well as you have yours.

...and you've not moved on just yet. Lets keep that in mind.

[GreatGretsch]

You are a friend too Bear and enjoy your thoughts and fun posts...As you requested, lets go on a normal. I would enjoy another recording or video to brighten this snowy day.

[gigatron]

Steve, I've enjoyed listening to your songs and reading your jokes (well, some of the jokes :-)). Hang in there, man, and enjoy every minute you can.

[guitarfarm]

Bear, I will always remember your wonderful sense of humor. Peace be with you.

[just lucky I guess]

I know there's music in Heaven, hope getting there is the ultimate "New Guitar Day"
Steve B.

[daverave]

Glad to see you are strong in all this. it speaks of great character, which you have brought to our forums. My prayers are with you, you will be missed.

[JC higgy]

Like i said on the GDP ,sorry to hear this Steve ,you and your family will be in my thoughts.You are one lifes true gentlemen.

This one is one my favs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk5nP4DMfZM&feature...

[dan P]

Hello Bear, we're all reeling by this, so please enjoy to the hilt what time on this planet you have ....wish we could all just get together and jam .....sorry.....

[Farmerbrown]

I guess I'm maybe the only member of this forum to actually meet Steve, this happened at a Taylor guitar clinic featuring Doyle Dykes a year and a half ago in Louisville. We've been intending to get together and jam, but it seems like there was always something going on on my end. I regret that I didn't try harder to make it happen, he is a fine man and I'm glad that I got to shake his hand. Thinking of you and praying too friend. Don

[TBrady]

Bear, I too am new to the forum, but it is clear that you have contributed much and are a valued friend to many. I will be looking for more of your postings. God Bless! Terry

[dafreeze]

Thinking of you, Steve...