Dear Bob,

I apologize for the delay in writing this letter to you and request your understanding. Sid and I were as close as brothers.

We shared with each other a large part of our lives during medical school and to some extent afterward. [Read more…]

Dear Friends and Family of Sid Spies:

Sid and I became friends when he visited one of his oldest and dearest friends, John Shirey, MD (ret.) with whom he attended junior high, high school and medical school at the University of Chicago. Subsequently, Sid and I tried to talk our mutual friend, John, to move from his condo into a fine, oceanfront retirement place in La Jolla before loss of memory meant he would be locked up in a less-pleasant facility. Our attempt failed but resulted in an email friendship between Sid and me. I found him to be a warm and wonderful human being. News of his death came today as a shock.

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I am so sorry I could not attend Sid’s memorial today. I did get to watch the video, which came through pretty well. The stories and memories you and others shared were moving and sweet. I remember your father as a kind and generous person. He was so good with, and to, our medical students in the UCB-UCSF Joint Medical Program; I know he loved his work with them (though he didn’t see it as “work”). I and they will miss him very much.

Your dad was a wonderful man.  He was funny and smart and I loved his “aw shucks” naivete.  I remember once when your mom and dad and Alfred and I went to Hollywood to see a play.  Alfred and I were trying to explain to tell your dad about the hookers standing on the street corners.  He wanted to know how you could tell if a person was a hooker. [Read more…]

Dear Bob and Carol,

I think your father Sid and first wife Rita were my parents oldest, and closest friends. I believe they originally met through the nursery school that we were all going to at the time in the valley. [Read more…]

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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