Death Among Friends

Tuesday began with a bang. A Facebook announcement that a friend had died, Peter Dudak.


I worked with Peter for at least 5 years in founding the Warrenville (Ill.) Arts Council. And operating the organization. Peter was a board member, volunteer and tireless. His ideas were solid, delivered with a calm demeanor and smile.


Peter’s wife Betsy is an involved citizen. I’ve known her longer than Peter. Betsy was behind the scenes in starting up our local newspaper. Originally slated to be our Managing Editor, she demurred, and I was named in her place. She went on to author four books, one just about to be published. She now leads the Warrenville Writers Connection, which she founded.


Both Peter and Betsy are engaged citizens of Warrenville, Illinois. A small town of 14,000 souls, the community is known for its active, giving and creative people. Want a newspaper? Start one. Want to produce a parade? Create an organization, recruit plenty of volunteers, and ask for money from everyone. Then stage the parade. Repeat year after year until the tradition is indelible with the community. Want good local government? Volunteer for boards and commissions, better yet, run for the City Council, or Mayor, or whatever. Then spend years doing the town’s work.


Yes, Peter and Betsy are the soul and sinew of Warrenville. Like many others, they see a need and step in to find a solution. Along the way they gather others. The contagion to get involved and accomplish what’s good for the community. That’s them, Peter and Betsy.


And now Peter is gone. Suddenly gone. In an accident involving his motorcycle. Doing something he loved.


The trouble with getting involved is the sudden empty space left when you are no longer there. The loss is felt. Over and over again. Something missing. Something very dear.


Death among friends is very real. A loss. Emptiness. A vacuum needing to be filled.


Farewell Peter. Hugs and tears for your family. They will miss you always. As will we.


July 4, 2019