Randy Demeter

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March 16, 2021

I considered Randy one if my closest friends. When we lived in Los Altos my daughter and Justin were close friends. Randy was a walking encyclopedia on plants and I was always picking his brain. During that time my husband was working with a start up, so... more

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Justin Demeter Aw, Shelley, thank you for sharing this. I know how much he adored you, and how much we both miss him. Love you!
- March 18, 2021

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January 19, 2021

From Richie Simrin

Randy Demeter story. In 1955 I was 12 years old and played Little League in Menlo Park. Joe Demeter Senior was the coach, Joe Demeter Junior was also 12 years old and my good friend. They both passed away way too early. The bat boy... more

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January 19, 2021

From John Mercer

Because Of The Shock And Sorrow Of Randy’s Passing, It Has Taken Me Awhile To Put Down My Words.
I Am Sure There Are Many People Out There. Who Are Experiencing The Hardship Of Losing A Good Friend . . .
A Good Person . . .A Good Man... more

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January 3, 2021

In my childhood view of the world, Joe Demeter was the strongest, most impressive man I knew. Nadine, his wife, the most beautiful woman i had seen with my own eyes. The Demeters were Suburban Park, Hedge Road royalty, good friends of my parents, my... moreIn my childhood view of the world, Joe Demeter was the strongest, most impressive man I knew. Nadine, his wife, the most beautiful woman i had seen with my own eyes. The Demeters were Suburban Park, Hedge Road royalty, good friends of my parents, my sister Leslie's god parents and lived across the street. Their eldest, Joey, inherited many of his father's traits, but was clearly going to become his own unique person. Sandy was every bit as lovely and capable as her mother. Then came Randy.
Randy's ever present smile gave away his nature, that sly grin said, "Let's play, let's have fun." Randy conjured up games of hide and seek and tag that lasted long after the time we were supposed to be home for dinner. He was the driving force behind touch football, baseball, kite flying and bicycle races that stopped traffic on Hedge Road. When he came to our kitchen door, I hoped it was me he would ask to come out to play, but more often than not, it was my sister Jan. Jan was much more fun than I, she and Randy were the same age, she was more wily at tag and could "seek" like no one else in the neighborhood.
Randy was three and a half years younger than I and would have not been cool to hang around, except Randy was cool before cool was cool. Every kid in the neighborhood was his buddy and he was the main ingredient that made life on Hedge Road fun and daring. I'll never forget his Flexible Flyer, a sled on wheels where the rider's skull was the first line of defense against any obstacle in its path. I recall Randy being knocked silly on his "flexie" more than once.
Everyone on the street and in my family adored Randy. He suffered a prolonged illness, I think it was scarlet fever, but I may be wrong, and my grandfather painted an oil of some Disney character, can't remember which, to make Randy just a bit happier. A pall fell over the neighborhood kids, we waited on every word of his long recovery and when he slowly returned to good health, we couldn't wait to share our days with Randy again.
I last saw Randy summer before last when John Mercer was in town and the three of us met at the Dutch Goose for lunch. Same smile, same memories as decades before. He asked about my sisters and referred to Leslie as "La La". I hadn't heard her called that in over six decades, the name coming from Randy's younger brother, Scooter, being too young to pronounce Leslie. Two months after seeing Randy, my sister and I along with our spouses were searching out a restaurant in Paris and I said, "I think we made a wrong turn back there, La La." I could sense that she, like me, briefly went from being lost in the Tenth Arrondissement to being back on Hedge Road.
Randy is such a vivid part of my memories, my childhood. my life.
He will always remain there, his smile never forgotten.....
Robt. Steinmetz
P.S. the photo, circa 1954, is Randy, our neighbor Stevie and my sister Jan in front of our house at 187 Hedge Road. less

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Justin Demeter reacted on this.
Justin Demeter what an incredible tribute... and you're such a compelling writer. thank you for sharing this <3
- January 3, 2021
Vicki Demeter Bob, this tribute is amazing, your grandfathers painting of Bambi is hanging in a bedroom in our home, Randy never forgetting how happy it made him thru his osteoporosis crippled as I was told and in a wheelchair for a year. Love to you, Vicki
- January 4, 2021

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December 31, 2020 · via iPhone

I was fortunate to call Randy my friend for fifty plus years . Randy would do anything for you a true friend . Randy was a great husband, father, friend and a whole lot of fun ! He also had great taste in woman as the love of his life was a fellow... more

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Justin Demeter reacted on this.

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December 31, 2020

We didn't know Randy long enough! I'll guess about 5 years which was long enough to enjoy his fun personality, board knowledge, and experience what a very sweet man he was. We will miss getting together with him and Vicki on summer evenings to enjoy a... more

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Justin Demeter reacted on this.

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December 30, 2020

Justin Demeter reacted on this.

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December 30, 2020

Justin Demeter love these so much...
- December 31, 2020

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December 30, 2020

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December 30, 2020

If I had to give one word that describes Randy, it would be sensitive. And unbeknownst to him, I believe it was his super power. To be sensitive is to be connected to the fragility of life. We are fragile. Life is fragile. This quality of sensitivity is... more

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Justin Demeter so beautiful... I hope he knew how very seen he was <3
- December 31, 2020

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December 30, 2020

We "grew up", lived, worked, played, laughed, cried, travelled, hiked, gardened, smoked and drank together! I will miss my good friend.

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Justin Demeter reacted on this.

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December 30, 2020

Bob & I, Randy & Vicki spent our whole lives, from early high school, together. We raised our perfect children together, with each other's assistance along the way. I rarely took on projects in my yard without first consulting Randy. He always... more

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Justin Demeter reacted on this.
Vicki Demeter Thank you Mel, even tho we don't see each other often, you both have always been very special friends in our lives.
- December 30, 2020
Justin Demeter beautiful, thank you.
- December 30, 2020