My Friend: D. Lowell Hussey
I'd often hear, in our various start-up meetings, "...as Oscar Wilde once said, 'It's better to be a tasteful thief than an original thinker.' " Pithier version of -- let's not reinvent the wheel. Certainly one of Lowell's favorites quotes and oh what a beautiful irony it is. There was nothing about Lowell that was unoriginal or cliche.
I met Lowell in 2009, two hours after landing in Wroclaw, Poland. I knew I had to meet this mysterious man who paid for our plane tickets. The first Americans to come to Poland to play professional [American] football -- looking back it all makes sense, of course Lowell would be involved in such a wild idea! As the days and weeks passed I became increasingly aware of how erudite Lowell was; yet [somehow] balanced with humility, compassion, and empathy; a man so fantastically witty and sarcastic that I'd find myself laughing days later; an interlocutor so talented I'd find myself lost in philosophical conversations for hours.
We were friends. He was my mentor. He was a father-figure to me. Lowell and I were a part of 3 start-ups together, he's the reason I moved to Portland, and he's the reason I have any shot in life. I wish I was the wordsmith Lowell was so I could express the impact he had on my life. Lowell, you've inspired me to dare greatly, and I'll forever be grateful for the decade we spent together as friends and business partners. Not a day goes by that I don't think, "what would Lowell do?" And I guess, in its own way, that's the highest compliment I can pay you.
Lowell, I leave you with a bit of irony, from Mr. Wilde:
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”
You were anything but most people; you were a most original thinker.
Tyler Vorhies
CEO Adoria Vineyards
3 年What a great man. My life was better because I knew Lowell Hussey. Great article.
Senior Developer at Peraton
5 年Honorable piece, brother. "Not a day goes by that I don't think, "what would Lowell do?"" <- I do this in every business decision I make. We lost a true mentor and a legend. A true legend to me is one who leaves life nuggets through the lives they touch. Lowell, you will be missed. And I promise to go stronger and improve on my business execution for you. <3
Recognized Videowall and Processing Expert with 15+ years of success in business development and global sales strategies implementation for long-term organizational growth and profitability.
5 年Tyler, I’ve only heard you speak about Lowell with great admiration and appreciation and it was often. I wish I’d had met him. My condolences to you and the people who cared greatly for him.
Property Sales and Events Manager at Whitney Oaks Golf Club
5 年I too first met the infamous Lowell in Poland. Our fist meeting was sitting for lunch outside on a patio while the gypsy children walked by and touched our food. Lowell hilariously and graciously sent the kids off with the garnish of fish eggs left on the plate.? From Poland then to Portland, my brother admired him, and I enjoyed watching their friendship. Every conversation between my brother and I will ultimately have a mention of Lowell and some joke or wise-crack he recently made.? He made quite an impact on our family, and left us with numerous memories
A diplomat for employer storytelling and ambassador-at-large for exec comms. It's a long (and actually very fun) story. Feel free to get in touch.
5 年This is a moving tribute to a great person, a great thinker, and most importantly, a great friend. I’m terribly sorry for your loss Tyler. Lowell was so special—an oracle—in his own incredible way. While the pain of this loss will likely never go away, I hope it becomes more bearable. Lowell would want all of us to continue to dare great—and focus our bows and arrows against the lightning.