To the Editor:

It is like the breath of voice has passed and now only the man’s impact in all of us moves forward.

Imagine an adult friend from childhood, 17 years older, still in touch and supportive over many years as you both became “seniors.”

This is a rare and special experience, with an opportunity for deeper understanding and greater appreciation as the years go by.

Running into Porter Bidleman was always a highlight of every trip to Altamont, regardless of the years of absence and distance in between.

My whole life, those meetings would instantly refocus my memory back to the many times we shared and engagements we had in common, and other times when we had those “chance” encounters.

Coming back to the village often over the years, and even a decade apart, I felt as if it were a magical appearance every time he identified me with a warm smile and, “Is that you Tom?”

The conversations we shared at those unplanned moments always had the warmth of understanding as well as genuine feeling of support, as our histories were well known to each other, throughout the sometimes difficult roads we both walked.

Reflections on an earlier history of Altamont, so deeply ingrained in our memory were understood, and colored our relationship with gratitude as we shared our latest news of those we both held firmly in our most sacred place of memory.

Our delight and joy was always our memories of and insight on recalled earlier times of a community that loved and served us well. It supported us both and helped us both become the “storytellers” to another generation.

I last saw Porter at Hungerford’s coffee shop. 

The greeting was brief, his smile as genuine as ever, with a promise to reconnect in the future. 

I went on my way, assuring myself that there would be other times for longer, more complete conversations.

I regret his loss on Earth, and will miss our conversations, but treasure the memory of a man who was “one of the best” in a community of solid citizens and remarkable role models.

As he looks down over us, he will continue to see the spirit of generosity many will continue to extend to others, including the quiet, unspoken support so generously extended to many in the community he loved the most, and had the least.

Altamont remains a small community of friends and neighbors; he was always so very proud to call the village his home. It was because of men like him it has remained that way.

There is the special gift and treasure that has been left behind in Porter’s passing, an example of a life well-lived and a man to love and respect. 

Thank you, Porter. Rest in peace.

Thomas Sands

Altamont