Didn't get to meet Rito in person...but I spent many hours with him on the phone. Definitely enough to call him a friend.
He was very proud of his son, and his very good friend, Armando.
I was expecting to meet him in person on a trip later this year or early next.
It is so odd. Making such distant plans at our age didn't even seem to hold a risk.
He and I talked about my motorcycle accident...and how it would have "really messed up our plans" if I hadn't "decided not to 'go' yet."
I am so thankful that we were both able to laugh at that. Having never met the man, get to shake his hand, yet he knew me well enough to know that we would both find it funny.
Now...to hear this...
I am at a rare loss for words...
RIP, Brother...