In Memoriam, "Cool" Martin J. Gehrke, 1983-2006
New York- November 18, 2006, a day that shall live in infamy. The once unflappable Martin Gehrke, punisher of sophomores, breaker of skulls, has left us for greener pastures. Though he valiantly struggled to the end, he was overcome by "emotions" and felled by his adversary. Martin truly lived each day as a street fight, and never has the heavyweight handbook better fit an athlete, or a man. Unforunately for his now ex-teammates, he apparently also chooses to love with wild abandon.
In remembering this once great man, we cannot help but look to the past for forewarnings of his untimely passing. One has to look to further than his Gehrke Creek Post, The Book of Marty: The Life and Times of the Most Interesting Person Ever. As you can see, much is predictable. Foreward by Papa Bear Zimmer, Gehrke's undeniable genius with his autobiographical "All My Ex-Girlfreinds and Why I Still Hate Every Single One with a Burning Passion," but look closer. Past "Why I Want to Be Marty"... AFTERWORD BY CARYN WATERSON. So true, so young, so innocent, so beautiful.
So it is with a heavy heart that we bid one last goodbye to "Cool" Martin Gehrke, the inspiration behind this forum, and all of our former sophomore lives. The fire may be gone, the prowess forever hindered, but the memories remain. A future of diapers, mini-vans, and suburbia may await this once proud warrior, yet we cannot help but echo his mantra throughout the land: "Think for yourself. Question authority."
Good night, sweet prince.