Kevin Hegewald: 1968-2011
I can’t go forward today without writing a tribute to a man I am honored to call one of my friends and one of the most remarkable people I have known. My friend Kevin Hegewald, passed away on September 20th after a long, valiant, and courageous battle with cancer. He faced this challenge with dignity and verve and vowed that his suffering wouldn’t get the best of his enjoyment of life. In fact I would say that even though cancer won the battle, Kevin won the war with his dogged determination to have as much fun as possible in his remaining days.
I have known Kevin my whole life as a neighbor and friend. We grew up about one block away from each other and I have always enjoyed spending time with him, whether it was while hanging out with his sister Christy, or during his band practices and gigs with my brother Jamie, or most especially in recent years when he would call me at strange hours to go on some crazy fishing adventure with him and his family.
Kevin has a smile that is absolutely electric and he is able to make everyone around him feel like a friend. His sense of humor is unmatched and possibly only outdone by his always entertaining choice of words in any situation. Kevin has a “zest” for life, which is a word I will always associate with him. He used to call his little sister, Christy (who is my age), Zest as a nickname when we were in first grade. Nicknames are also very plentiful with Kevin. I think he has given everyone he knows at least 3-10 nicknames which he will pull out randomly yet always appropriate to the situation.
Kevin and I have shared many connections in life. Of course growing up near each other we know so many of the same people. We both served missions for the LDS church in the greatest mission in the world − Frankfurt, Germany. We both have deep convictions about our faith. We love the same music. We love fishing of just about any kind, but especially fly fishing. It was thanks to this common interest, that I really got to know Kevin more deeply…
Read Part 2 & 3
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I didn’t know Kevin as well as you obviously did, but when he started his residency here at Loma Linda and became an attending, he was always one of those people that you could count on to have a smile and make yours and those around you have a better day no matter the circumstance. He is a true man, and I know that he will be missed here, but God and the Angels are rejoicing that they have one of the good ones with them! My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He touched many and I am glad to call him a friend.
How heartfelt sorry i am for the loss of your friend, and our loss of a wonderful physician and leader. Dr. Hegewald was a leader who had the right words to make a new nurse feel confident on his team. My condolences to his family. xochi(which he relished in procouncing correctly, xochitl)
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