Waarhorse
I was eating lunch at work when I received a text that my friend, Waarhorse(Henry Bestwick), was dead. I didn't want to believe it, but notified others as soon as I could.
Today was his funeral and I attended along with Raz, M Panthera, and Megan Giles. The ceremony was very nice and the family had his con badges on display at the reception after the funeral. I lost it several times during the funeral.
Waarhorse was a constant at many furry cons. He served as security in some and just attended others, but he was always doing something for someone else. Need a room to crash in? Ask Waar. Need help with something? He was there. Always with a joke or a helping hand.
He was also a local fur with our furry group, the Flying Tiger Saloon. I first met Waarhorse online in 1995 and met him in furson in 1998 during Confurence 9. I soon learned that he was a big man with a bigger heart. Someone who didn't know him might have been intimidated, but all those who did know him knew he was generous, kind, and compassionate. I have never heard a single bad word about him from anyone, and in this fandom, that is saying something. He often showed up to cons in full military dress(United States Army, thank you very much) and attended the milfurs gathering and the religious services on Sundays.
He also introduced his mother to the fandom and was tickled that she wanted to buy a full fursuit after seeing them at Anthrocon. I think that, if you threw a rock at most conventions, you would hit somefur who knew Waarhorse. Many artists drew him and drew badges for him.
I will miss him. I will miss his laugh and smile and jokes about all sorts of things. I will even miss his political views. With him, you could have an argument, agree to disagree, and smile afterwards. He bore no ill will and no rancor.
Fare well, my friend. Until we meet again..fare you well.
Today was his funeral and I attended along with Raz, M Panthera, and Megan Giles. The ceremony was very nice and the family had his con badges on display at the reception after the funeral. I lost it several times during the funeral.
Waarhorse was a constant at many furry cons. He served as security in some and just attended others, but he was always doing something for someone else. Need a room to crash in? Ask Waar. Need help with something? He was there. Always with a joke or a helping hand.
He was also a local fur with our furry group, the Flying Tiger Saloon. I first met Waarhorse online in 1995 and met him in furson in 1998 during Confurence 9. I soon learned that he was a big man with a bigger heart. Someone who didn't know him might have been intimidated, but all those who did know him knew he was generous, kind, and compassionate. I have never heard a single bad word about him from anyone, and in this fandom, that is saying something. He often showed up to cons in full military dress(United States Army, thank you very much) and attended the milfurs gathering and the religious services on Sundays.
He also introduced his mother to the fandom and was tickled that she wanted to buy a full fursuit after seeing them at Anthrocon. I think that, if you threw a rock at most conventions, you would hit somefur who knew Waarhorse. Many artists drew him and drew badges for him.
I will miss him. I will miss his laugh and smile and jokes about all sorts of things. I will even miss his political views. With him, you could have an argument, agree to disagree, and smile afterwards. He bore no ill will and no rancor.
Fare well, my friend. Until we meet again..fare you well.