Sunday, May 16, 2021
I met George at Iowa State University, 1983 in Istatistics class. He loved coffee and cigarettes. He used to carry a thermos bottle with coffee in it. He was taking classes for further education. We became good friends. He was married Kathy and were living in Ames, Iowa. He is a well mannered and very honest person. We had a good group of students and studied together for shared classes. I remember Charles, his friend, he was a senior student, we had picnics and gatherings together. I met his brother in Ames, the one farming hogs in Iowa. George and I, we formed a company under his name as carpet trading from Turkey. We imported carpets and try to market it. We sold some, but Iowa was not a good market for carpet. It did not go well. We sold the company; Heirloom Tapestries to a friend with its inventory. ........,, After graduation from ISU Community and Regional Planning Department 1984, I moved to Dallas, Tx., for work. He gave me his knife as a gift. I still keep it. ....,,,,,,, 1987 he came to Dallas with his second wife and step daughter right before I left USA, Stayed at my place one night. He was going to a relative. ........, I was visiting USA in 1996 with my wife and daughter. We were in Ames, I called George. He came from Council Bluffs right away. We had dinner together and talked all night until he left 3:30 in the morning. He told me his life and the turmoil he went thru. He asked me if he reached me in Turkiye to be witness. I told him I would have come to USA and testify for him. He is proud of his son Austin, showed us his pictures. He asked from us, me and my wife, to buy a gift, ernie, to my daughter, 3.5 years old. She still keeps ernie. ........, Around 2000 when my business trip to Florida, USA, I called him. He was very happy to hear from me. Talked a long time on the phone. ........., Lately trying to reach him. But finally I found his obituary. I, my wife and my daughter felt very sorry to hear. He is and was my best friend and remember him with good memories. I send my condolences to the family. Ali Riza Emre Architect and City Planner Istanbul, Turkiye a.r.emre@hotmail.com
