Henry reached out to me last year on FB and we reminisced about our favorite TV oaters (Gunsmoke, Maverick). i hadn't heard from him in ages so I was touched he'd remembered me. I read his last post and was taken by his equanimity and thought it ironic that he referred back to a western theme. i think at some point in our lives many of us wanted to be a cowboy. Maybe it was the appeal of the open range and simpler times. If our trails should ever intersect Henry, I'd be glad to ride along with you. Happy Trails amigo.
Henry David Kim was my friend and brother. We became close friends in 10th grade and remained so even as we chanced to live outside of SoCal. He to Alaska and of late, in Las Vegas while I have live in Indiana since the mid seventies. We were kept in touch by mutual friends until email. The occasional reunions punctuated these times of expanding adulthood. Henry faced his life and his prognosis with courage and indomitable bravery. If we can all face our mortality with half as much fortitude, it will be heroic. Henry became my hero in the way he faced his full life. He was immeasurably helped and loved by his wife; Tina!
Henry taught me more about food in those early years that launched and sustained my own interests and tendencies. In sophomore year, he introduced me to Korean food and took me to Man Fook Low down on San Pedro St. where we later discovered dim sum. He ordered about 10-11 dishes. The table was covered in platters and platforms w domed covers. It was like those tv shows and yet the bill was barely $10. Yes, that's right. By about 2009, it had come full circle when Henry and Peter Bourne were still in town and we fixed a pan Asian mixed grill. The best complement rather the most significant was Henry's approval of the short ribs I fixed.
About the time "no shoes, no shirt, no service" became a thing, Henry and I were driving up San Vicente towards La Cienega when he says: what's that smell??? It was my smelly feet inside a worn out pair of Adidas. We had to stop at a gas station where the shoes were tossed and the feet were washed in powdered grit soap. Repeatedly until I was allowed back in the '65 green Mustang. It goes without saying, we ate lunch at a walk up place and I took shit for several years.
In my appalling naïveté with only scant veins of maturity, there was always Henry. We were growing by challenging each other. There was this tradition, nay, obligation to give each other shit, mercelessly, we weren't the only ones. It was how we kept each other honest, and; how we avoided saying I love you.
Freshmen year of college, the Rathskeller in Westwood thought it a good idea to celebrate their second year in business by charging $2 dollars for a Luau which no one ate and all the cheap champagne you can (not should) drink. After surviving the drive home, I was awakened by a phone call from Henry offering to take me to his Psych lecture at UCLA. He got me a quart of fresh OJ and coddled me through the worst hangover. I remain grateful because I learned how kids grow and separate from their parents. It still informs me. (Continued)
There are as many beliefs as there are people about what comes next. In the last analysis, there are but two possible outcomes: that life is a blip between two extended periods of nothing; a cruel hoax. Or, a truer reality which renders this life a temporary pretext to what has always been; what is always to be, what truly is. When we wake up on the shores of that distant tomorrow, it is already better than we ever believed!
With that it is my privilege to share Henry's thoughts.
In Henry's farewell email to the boys, he was most gracious and upbeat. He let us know he was going into hospice. He told us how it was. His dignity, sense of self, feeling but not feeling sorry for himself was completely intact as he always was; as he is! He spoke with quiet joy and loving reflection. He quoted the lyrics of Happy Trails. Happy Trails to You, Until we Meet Again (dear friends) until we meet again!
I didn't know Henry well but what I did know I lked quite a bit. I remember our freshmen year when we were practicing football commisserating with each other. He handled it a lot better than me. Over the years I followed Henry loosely online. He seemed to be a very godd guy with a great sense of humor. Our BHHS world and the world at large have lost a great person with a great personality. RIP brother.
Henry and I shared a soldering iron in Mr. Walker's electric class, where we built a tube-based AM radio. He was very bright, creative, and funny. The world is a little sadder for his loss.
So sorry to hear of Henry's passing. We were never close but were always around each other all thru our years at BHHS. He was a pleasure to be around and a genuine good person. Condolences to his family. His passing is a tremendous loss to us all. Rest in Peace Henry.
First off, God Bless Henry, his family, and friends. As a quiet member of the '69 class, there are many classmates I never met, but thanks to many of your recent posts, I feel as if I "get" Henry, and that is a sweet thing. As we're all moving toward the horizon, with many already beyond, I look forward to a colorful campfire chat with Henry Kim. Yes, Happy Trails to All...
Henery, will miss yoiu buddy and tha't not just a cliche one uses upon one's passing. The highest compliment I am able to offer for waht a great soul Henery was, is that he allowed be to be his frind most of his life and we were roommates for 2 years. Those 2 years are among the most memory filled of all. Henry only had when rule when 4 of us lived together, "I cook, you guys clean>" lot more cooking of great Korean food, than cleaning. RTP my freind.
Marvin Wolf
Hank will always have a seat at my poker game with aces full every time. Bye pal.
Lynn Mayer (Smith)
A dear man who will forever be in our memory. I am thinking of Tina, his sister, and other family members. My heart goes out to all of them.
Brian Grad
Henry reached out to me last year on FB and we reminisced about our favorite TV oaters (Gunsmoke, Maverick). i hadn't heard from him in ages so I was touched he'd remembered me. I read his last post and was taken by his equanimity and thought it ironic that he referred back to a western theme. i think at some point in our lives many of us wanted to be a cowboy. Maybe it was the appeal of the open range and simpler times. If our trails should ever intersect Henry, I'd be glad to ride along with you. Happy Trails amigo.
Benet Rutenberg
Henry David Kim was my friend and brother. We became close friends in 10th grade and remained so even as we chanced to live outside of SoCal. He to Alaska and of late, in Las Vegas while I have live in Indiana since the mid seventies. We were kept in touch by mutual friends until email. The occasional reunions punctuated these times of expanding adulthood. Henry faced his life and his prognosis with courage and indomitable bravery. If we can all face our mortality with half as much fortitude, it will be heroic. Henry became my hero in the way he faced his full life. He was immeasurably helped and loved by his wife; Tina!
Henry taught me more about food in those early years that launched and sustained my own interests and tendencies. In sophomore year, he introduced me to Korean food and took me to Man Fook Low down on San Pedro St. where we later discovered dim sum. He ordered about 10-11 dishes. The table was covered in platters and platforms w domed covers. It was like those tv shows and yet the bill was barely $10. Yes, that's right. By about 2009, it had come full circle when Henry and Peter Bourne were still in town and we fixed a pan Asian mixed grill. The best complement rather the most significant was Henry's approval of the short ribs I fixed.
About the time "no shoes, no shirt, no service" became a thing, Henry and I were driving up San Vicente towards La Cienega when he says: what's that smell??? It was my smelly feet inside a worn out pair of Adidas. We had to stop at a gas station where the shoes were tossed and the feet were washed in powdered grit soap. Repeatedly until I was allowed back in the '65 green Mustang. It goes without saying, we ate lunch at a walk up place and I took shit for several years.
In my appalling naïveté with only scant veins of maturity, there was always Henry. We were growing by challenging each other. There was this tradition, nay, obligation to give each other shit, mercelessly, we weren't the only ones. It was how we kept each other honest, and; how we avoided saying I love you.
Freshmen year of college, the Rathskeller in Westwood thought it a good idea to celebrate their second year in business by charging $2 dollars for a Luau which no one ate and all the cheap champagne you can (not should) drink. After surviving the drive home, I was awakened by a phone call from Henry offering to take me to his Psych lecture at UCLA. He got me a quart of fresh OJ and coddled me through the worst hangover. I remain grateful because I learned how kids grow and separate from their parents. It still informs me. (Continued)
Benet Rutenberg
Part II
There are as many beliefs as there are people about what comes next. In the last analysis, there are but two possible outcomes: that life is a blip between two extended periods of nothing; a cruel hoax. Or, a truer reality which renders this life a temporary pretext to what has always been; what is always to be, what truly is. When we wake up on the shores of that distant tomorrow, it is already better than we ever believed!
With that it is my privilege to share Henry's thoughts.
In Henry's farewell email to the boys, he was most gracious and upbeat. He let us know he was going into hospice. He told us how it was. His dignity, sense of self, feeling but not feeling sorry for himself was completely intact as he always was; as he is! He spoke with quiet joy and loving reflection. He quoted the lyrics of Happy Trails. Happy Trails to You, Until we Meet Again (dear friends) until we meet again!
Lon Levin
I didn't know Henry well but what I did know I lked quite a bit. I remember our freshmen year when we were practicing football commisserating with each other. He handled it a lot better than me. Over the years I followed Henry loosely online. He seemed to be a very godd guy with a great sense of humor. Our BHHS world and the world at large have lost a great person with a great personality. RIP brother.
Howard Fisher
Henry and I shared a soldering iron in Mr. Walker's electric class, where we built a tube-based AM radio. He was very bright, creative, and funny. The world is a little sadder for his loss.
Maurice "Mo" Angel
So sorry to hear of Henry's passing. We were never close but were always around each other all thru our years at BHHS. He was a pleasure to be around and a genuine good person. Condolences to his family. His passing is a tremendous loss to us all. Rest in Peace Henry.
Michael Feder
First off, God Bless Henry, his family, and friends. As a quiet member of the '69 class, there are many classmates I never met, but thanks to many of your recent posts, I feel as if I "get" Henry, and that is a sweet thing. As we're all moving toward the horizon, with many already beyond, I look forward to a colorful campfire chat with Henry Kim. Yes, Happy Trails to All...Tony Rubin
Henery, will miss yoiu buddy and tha't not just a cliche one uses upon one's passing. The highest compliment I am able to offer for waht a great soul Henery was, is that he allowed be to be his frind most of his life and we were roommates for 2 years. Those 2 years are among the most memory filled of all. Henry only had when rule when 4 of us lived together, "I cook, you guys clean>" lot more cooking of great Korean food, than cleaning. RTP my freind.