They say bad and good things occur in threes.
That certainly was the case recently involving the unfortunate deaths of Bill Brewster, Sue Anne Kubli and former William Chrisman and University of Colorado basketball standout Tim Richardson.
I was deeply saddened by the deaths of the three within a week.
If I was forced to put together a list of the top 10 individuals I’ve known and respected during by 50 years at the Examiner, Brewster would be No. 1.
He was a husband, father and person of integrity, class, respect and professionalism. The Independence parks system flourished during his 36 years as the director. He affected the lives of many.
I said many things about him in a previous column. Still, his passing touched me deeply. The city on June 3 named the field at Crysler Stadium in his honor. It was a wonderful and deserved honor and fortunately happened before he died. I applaud city officials for their action.
His wife, Dorothy, told me Sunday that they drove Bill to the stadium recently to see the large boulder outside of the stadium with the plaque in his honor imbedded in the top.
Sue Kubli was the wife of Clyde Kubli, who coached baseball at Truman from 1967 to 1977 with a 185-99 record. He retired from the sport after coaching the Patriots to a 23-3 record and the school’s only state title in the sport in 1977.
He also coached American Legion baseball for many summers, particularly the last few with the Blue Springs Rod’s Sports Athletics. He knew his baseball. I consider him a good friend who cared as much about my health as I did his.
Sue was a wonderful woman and wife to Clyde. They had two wonderful daughters. Her death, as might be expected, affected him deeply. But he is surrounded by many who will take good care of him.
A baseball scholarship fund has been set up in his name at Truman.
Richardson’s death at the age of 62 was a shocker. I was stunned when I saw the obituary in The Examiner.
“He was not ill,” Chrisman athletic director Dan Ogle said of the 1966 Chrisman graduate. “He died (while) taking a nap in the family home. He was a big Chrisman supporter. He will be missed.”
He is a member of the Chrisman and Colorado hall of fames. He starred in high school in tennis, baseball and basketball. He was at his best in basketball, earning a scholarship to Colorado. He was school’s career scoring leader until current NBA five-time all-star Chauncey Billups came along.
His mother taught for many years in the Independence school system.
He always greeted me when he saw me at a Chrisman game. He seemed to always have a smile on his face. He was an all-around good guy. He resided for years near the southeast corner of North River and Truman Road.
My deepest condolences to the Brewster, Kubli and Richardson families. Bill, Sue and Tim, I’m certain, are in heaven and will be missed greatly.
