The Jethro Gump Eulogy
by Mark Tumarkin
<editor's note> From a post to Tech Talk the AHA brewing list Written by Rob Moline (aka Jethro Gump) on March 12, 2002 </editor's note>
George Fix passed away yesterday.
It's not an easy thing...losing a leader in our sport...a generous
man that gave me more than I could even recognize in the early
days of my association with him....when I just tried to learn from
his books and articles.
I wanted to know 'George Fix, the Brewer.'
Later in my brewing life I got to meet George personally, @
GABF's and other brewing con-fabs....and the bloke was more
than could be imagined. It didn't matter that you were a nobody,
merely seeking his time was an open invitation to lengthy discussion
on whatever subject you brought up, always filled with a 'have
you tried this?'...or 'you should find this article.'
"I'll send it to you." And he did.
I was @ a semi-formal function in Ames....seated @ a table
for perhaps 12 or so, out of 200 or 300...when I declared my
intent to seek a heartier beer from the hotel bar than was available
as a part of the banquet package....2 folk's asked if I would get
them some as well...one I knew, but the other fella that asked for
me to get him what ever I deemed appropriate struck me....He
asked if I knew about beer....
On my return with beers I was asked by the other fella if
I knew "George Fix, the Brewer." Max Gunzburger was his
name, and as small a world as we seem to occupy, it never
seemed smaller when that night I was regaled with tales of
George's under-graduate days, by a fella that had been one
of George's best mates throughout life, going back to math
days and beer nights.
I was told today, by one of George's family that when
George was undergoing the final days of his chemo, an accounting
officer of the hospital saw George with his doctor, and asked if
that was George Fix.
The Dr. replied, "No, this is Dr. Fix, the mathematician."
The accounting officer asked, "Isn't he George Fix, the Brewer?"
That accounting officer is just like me....simply amazed that
we have been @ some time in the company of a great brewer's
generosity.
I feel especially fortunate...I had a call returned just a few
weeks ago...
And I know that anyone reading these words feels the
same.We have all been touched by "George Fix, the Brewer."
The most important call of all will be ....
"ENTER, George Fix, the Brewer!......WE have a problem with ......"
God Bless You Sir,
Now that Heaven has a Better Brewer, What Need I
Worry About?
Jethro Gump