Posted by Ralph Hahn on March 22, 2000 at 23:52:39:
In Reply to: Re: Bill Epperhart 1948-2000 posted by Ralph Hahn on March 22, 2000 at 07:41:07:
I was hesitant in posting this this morning when I woke up to the tragic news of Bill's passing.
I'm sure we all have our private moments of Bill to share. I was particularly moved, to say the least, of especially those who were fortunate to have worked with Bill.
Again, I only knew the man from this board and from his section on the main WABC Music Radio site. I gained further respect for the man after reading Bill's tribute to retiring Ron Lundy in Vince Santarelli's "Apple Bites".
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I would like to share with you all Bill's last e-mail to me. As far as I knew, he had the flu. A week-long hospital stay was a bit severe for the flu.
But, you can see in the text of Bill's note to me that, although we never met, he had this obligation to get back to those who requested his help. The below text from Bill's e-mail was in response to mine about a couple of questions we had raised regarding WABC. A couple of us asked Bill, through the board, for more details. Little did I know that Bill was hospitalized and obviously could not have read the posts. Here is the text, which I will cherish:
>>>Ralph -
Was in the hospital for the past week. Came home yesterday. Am still a very sick puppy. Right now is the first time I'm online in well over a week. Primarily to answer mail. You'rs is one of the first e-mails I'm answering Haven't even checked the site yet..
Wanted to follow up on the thread because I got some nice responses but haven't been able to because the bottom dropped out at this end. Feel bad because I don't like to leave people hanging, but in this case have no control over any of it. Everything else is a higher priroity right now.
Will be in touch when I can. Feel free to contact me at any time.
.../Bill<<<
I'm glad for Bill's loved ones' sake, he took his remaining time to take care of those "higher priorities".
I share the beliefs eloquently expressed by Vernon with a V in his final paragraph. Bill's final words to be were "Feel free to contact me at any time."
Well, Bill, a LOT of us will hopefully 'contact you' at any time through our thoughts and especially our prayers. And, hopefully, one day I hope to meet you in person...when you can finally explain to me how I can use my limiter/compressor to duplicate the WABC sound.
I know YOU'RE in good hands now...we will pray that your loved ones left behind will be looked after.