Bart (Buck) Hazlett died Friday along with two of his children in a two-car, head-on collision out in someplace called Lindstrom. I last talked at length with Buck at a benefit for his brother Kevin, some months ago. I noticed him leave the stage after a brief Van Hazlett reunion; he had a cane and dragged that leg of his that used to sport a large brace back when he was a kid. I made my way through the crowd to ask him about it. He called me Billy (all the Hazletts call me Billy, how do they get away with that?) and said he'd had some sort of relapse with the hip. I mentioned that it didn't seem to have affected his drumming and he said it'd been some twenty years since he'd been behind a drum kit. I was shocked; it seemed like I'd been watching him play drums all through the years. We talked of his brother's cancer. A discussion on health insurance was interrupted often as he stopped to point out which kids running by were his. They seemed to be everywhere.
Buck, you are missed. My heart goes out to your wonderful family...
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Nice, Bill. Thanks for another snapshot. As always, your writing is a joy, even when it's so very painful.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a couple of blurry days, but I still can't get my brain and heart around this. Such a good man, such beautiful kids, such a terrific family. Gone.
I never watched a single episode of the Simpsons without thinking of Buck as Bart Simpson. There is something about that whole Hazlett family who, from the moment I stepped foot into Eisenhower and Hopkins, embodied the soul of that town for me. And Buck most of all. I was out of town for the benefit for Kevin, and I hadn't seen Buck in years. But, as the song goes, "I always thought I'd see him again." My heart goes out to all of the Hazletts, and the legions who love them.
Sadly, I'll see you soon, Bill.
Love, Mary
Thanks, Mary. This has got to be the most depressing blog ever. I began it as an excuse to write down some old experiences and 'promote' my writing. All I ever find to write about are friends getting sick or passing away far too young. I thought blogging was supposed to be fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad time. My memories of Buck and the family go back to church and running around Interlachen Park when I was 10-15 years old. And, yes, it is hard to figure the whole thing out...
I'm so sorry to learn of your friend and his children dying in this terrible way. Totally senseless. I hope your many happy memories of Buck and his family will sustain you and bring you comfort.
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