Farewell to Leon

Leon Sempsrott, on my porch, in May of 2007

My dear friend Leon Sempsrott passed away on Friday at the age of 77.

Leon was driving his four wheeler in Puertecitos and had an accident that had caused multiple injuries, and it apparently was more than he could stand.

Leon was a fine gentlemen, helped everyone who asked him for assistance, watched over our community in Puertecitos Baja California, and always helped me in any way he could.

What I want to remember about Leon are a large number of things, including:

• He always was there when you needed him. He had expert advice for everything form propane tanks to power plants to fishing lures to cooking to animal lore to, well, you name it, he was a source of it.
• He was always incredibly active. He didn't just grow old and fade away, he continued to lead an active life (some say too active) and enjoyed himself. He was not an elder person waiting for death, he was a vibrant individual who was enjoying life.
• He was as kind as could be. Children in the area could always count on his generosity, those down on their luck would receive help from him and he even helped people he did not particularly like whenever they needed it.
• Leon did what he wanted. He valued freedom and used it to the maximum. His autonomy was celebrated every day of his life.
• His sense of humor and jolly nature were infectious and kept us all entertained and positive.
• He loved that little plot of land he lived on in Pertecitos and helped us all love it as well.

Leon served. He served his country as a diver in the military and always served his friends and neighbors. I wish that I could say I had helped as many people as Leon did.

Tonight, I am having a sip of rum and remembering you, Leon, and celebrating all of the great stories about you that I will be telling for the rest of my life.