Posted by Adam Rabinowitz on September 30, 2003 at 00:30:40 from 24.123.201.58 rrcs-central-24-123-201-58.biz.rr.com :
To Steve, Jim and Others, While I did talk with Steve earlier this year (2003) I did want to express my deepest condolences for the loss of your father. I don't know why I am posting this now except that perhaps it is because I have just found this forum. Your father, as well as you (Steve & Jim) guys had a significant impact on my life while at 153 Jewett. Over the July 4th weekend this year I was in Buffalo for the 25th high school reunion for the class ahead of mine (sorry for not calling Steve, but I will be attending my 25th next year). We took in Shakspeare in the Park and then a ride down Jewett Parkway. It had been 24 years. As we came upon Summit Avenue I first saw the construction on the Frank Lloyd Wright house and then good old Powell Mansion. We stopped for a few minutes in front of 124 Jewett Parkway and I got out of the car. It was pretty late in the evening so we didn't stay too long. I had often thought of this moment over the 20+ years - walking up to that massive front door, knocking, and then surprising the hell out of Dr. Powell: the intellectual midget had returned! Of course I already knew that wasn't going to happen now. A wave of acute sadness came over me and I quietly cried to myself as we continued past 153 Jewett. After I graduated high school in 1979 I was living at Powell mansion. Steve and I would take long bike trips and party our brains out. I was living away from home (Cincinnati, OH) for over 6 months at that point and my experience living at Powell mansion albeit short, really had an impact on me. Jeannie and Dad could echo that sentiment were they around today. Your father (whom I always addressed as Dr. Powell out of respect) was probably one the first adults to treat me as something other than a pot-headed kid - even when I smoked pot. I can still vividly remember sitting on the back porch with your dad and Ramsey Clark steeped in a polictical discussion (probably about Bruce). There was none of the usual "...the ADULTS are talking now, take a hike" attitude. There was "have a seat, I want you to meet someone" and join us in this conversation. I cannot find the exact words to describe how important that was to me. It was that very respect that he paid to me that made me want to see him when I did finally get back to Buffalo. Unfortunately, when I was to travel back to Buffalo in 1999 for my 20th high school reunion, Jeannie was in her final stages of battling cancer and died that Aug. 31 so I didn't make the trip. In retrospect I also lost my opportunity to see your dad and thank him for the positive influence he had on me. Jim, feel free to contact me about the book you are working on. Anything I can do to help I would be happy to do. Guys, your dad meant a great deal to me and I wanted you to know this. I miss him too! Take care, Adam Adam Rabinowitz
arabinow@fuse.net