Your views: Bobby Wesley was always a class act, and his loss is a tragedy

Thanks for the recent article on Bobby Wesley. Indeed, Charlestonhas lost one of its treasures. How many lives he touched.

What a tragedy, but what a wonderful life. Bobby was a tremendoushusband, father, brother and son - a great family man.

Those of us who played basketball with him loved him. Those of uswho guarded him, or tried to, knew how impossible it was. Having himguard you wasn't any picnic either.

He was a fierce competitor - so talented. He knew how to play andhow to win. He was a winner in basketball and in life.

He was so quick - could stop on a dime and then jump out of thegym. And even though you knew he was going to shoot, you couldn'tstop him. His strange-looking jump shot came from way behind hishead, and then he arched it high out of your reach, and it was alwayssoft and usually accurate.

I'd like to say we were mature enough over the years to haveplayed without ever arguing about fouls, but I can't.

Oh, what the heck, Bobby, I admit it. I fouled you more than youdid me. But no matter how intense we got while playing, we werealways friends afterwards.

All the guys who regularly played with Bobby over the yearsrespected him as much as a person as we did as a player. Bobby wasalways a class act.

He was a great referee in the youth leagues. More than once hehelped me calm down while I was coaching. He was not only a blessingto all the kids I coached over the years, but also to my ownchildren, who appreciated his kind and encouraging words, hisfriendly teasing and his infectious smile.

Bobby's shocking and sudden death reminds us of just how fragilelife is. It's crucial that we don't put off what's important in thislife: getting right with the Lord; letting loved ones know how muchwe care about them and appreciate them; and taking steps to mendwounded or broken relationships.

Bobby, we'll miss you, but we'll never forget you.

Tim DiPiero

Charleston