Rest In Peace Dear Heinz

It's funny how people come into our lives and  friendships develop.  Who would of told me back in 2006 that whilst in a chatroom on AOL I would meet and become a friend with this incredible gentleman?  Penpalships are not supposed to last long, but we wrote each other faithfully on a weekly basis.  Heinz Bunger, born after WWII in Germany; immigrated to the United States where he worked at the Copley Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
In his emails I learned how thirsted for knowledge of the WWII years, as growing up in Germany, children were discouraged to ask about those years.
While working in Boston, he would meet luminaries from the world of politics, sports and entertainment.
Upon retiring he moved to Florida.  As I said, we met in an AOL chatroom and became good friends.
He was thrilled to learn that in the summer of 2006 I was beginning to learn German, his native language.  He'd write to encourage and not give up.  Let me tall you- German is not an easy language.  But Heinz helped me with my attempting and mangling of his language.
He loved amusement parks; had season tickets to Busch Gardens in Florida and loved to ride the roller coasters.
Sadly, his life came to an end due to a heart attack.  He was taking care of a roommate who is dying- he's actually in hospice care and morphine.  The last email from him mentioned friends we meet and how we develop what becomes love...not the mushy, sexual, etc. type...but love between friends.  I got the feeling that he worried about living alone; he's at rest now.  Last year he had complications with the prostate.  I never met him physically nor even chatted on the phone- just chats online.  But he became a wonderful friend and I will miss his emails lots.  Oh, his favorite character was the Hallmark "Maxine."
Rest in peace, meine freund.