[red-indian]

For decades I have loved Ritchie's design aesthetic. Some years ago I met one of his close family members without realizing it and we bonded over our love of both classical studies and indigenous issues. At some point through random chats I talked about what an influence Ritchie was on me. My friend was shocked that I had heard of her relative whom her family considered as a pleasant eccentric, and she was gobsmacked when I told her stories about him that she had heard for countless years from the man himself over the holiday dinner table which everyone had rolled their eyes at. The concept outsiders had heard of him was astonishing. I was similarly amazed that my super smart friend was so close to him. As time proceeded I became something of friends with Dennis, not close, but someone he at least knew and we exchanged some amusing letters and gifts.

When I called my friend to tell her that Dennis had passed away it was the first she heard of it.

Not everyone likes Dennis' design aesthetic but it's been valuable to me in my career to find someone else, someone well known, who had similar predilections.

Dennis was genuinely a wonderful person who had excellent design taste. I miss him though I can still meet with him any time I like by thumbing through the K&R.