Dear Bob and Carol,

Your Dad did so much for Sam and me–introduced us to hiking, backpacking, traveling to Europe and other countries, eating out in different restaurants, going to our first live-performance stage plays. He was the most important person in our lives!

A few years ago, in our local Reseda Library, I found in the Mystery Stacks, “Vacant Eyes”–and I let out a loud “WOW”!! (and woke up some sleeping patrons).

Sid was such a joy!

Hugs and Luv to you,

Edith

Sid was a generous, wise, kind, and modest man. He loved living here at Piedmont Gardens among friends, and the residents and staff of this Community loved him. His contributions were vast, and his presence here for more than 15 years was a joy.

Elizabeth Chamish, Community Services Director, Piedmont Gardens

Sid was my uncle, my mother’s “baby brother,” as she proudly and jokingly referred to him. I don’t know another human being who seized and lived life as fully to the end as Sid did. At the age of 87 to be working on an extensive writing project that involved a great deal of interviewing and researching–I find that absolutely remarkable.

Besides his gentle spirit and incredible empathy, what I most remember about Sid was his fantastic sense of humor. He used to tell hilarious anecdotes about his work as a doctor that had us in stitches when our two families got together. One story involved trying to pronounce a patient dead who was inert on the floor. Sid had just had a recurrence of the back problems that plagued him throughout much of his adult life and was wearing a brace. His description of trying to lower himself to the floor while the family was standing around sobbing was truly priceless. I’m not doing justice to the story and can only hope you can imagine how he told it. I will miss him greatly.

Greetings Sid and family,

My parents Bob and Pam Reeves moved to Piedmont Gardens in Oakland in 2001 and easily settled in to the lovely community there. How fortunate for them, and for me, that Sid was one of the first residents they met. I have such fond memories of Sid, always engaging, always upbeat, bubbly, smiling, ready for a full-on genuine hug at any given time. Aside from my own parents, he was my favorite hugger. A man with a huge heart, giant humor, positive critical thinker, kind person, always so eager to be helpful. I always looked forward to the next issue of The Crest, to read Sid’s next ‘tell it like it is’ medical column. It was a treat to be around Sid and Kay together, to see how lovely they cared for each other, to witness their infectious love. As a member of the La Pena Chorus, I’ll miss looking out in the audience and seeing Sid’s radiant smile. But I know I’ll feel his presence there, along with Kay and my parents Bob and Pam, beaming up some good smiles and sparkles and sweetness. I’m glad Sid had a loving, adventurous, fulfilling, long ride, and can now rest. Love, Betsy