Giving Thanks for Logan Will

Today, November 22, marks the one year anniversary of the day that Logan Will left us and I want to give thanks for having the chance to call him a friend.

Logan was everything that a good Democrat and great friend should be. He was humble, unbelievably intelligent, kind, compassionate, articulate, funny, and loyal. Logan was a good Democrat. Together we served as officers of the Willamette College Democrats and as campaign staff for Democratic legislative candidates. In 2006, the campaign I was managing was fraught with problems and Logan was always there, someone to talk to with sage advice, who could in a moment kindly point to the folly of my ways. We spent many summer nights that year scouring over C+Es, talking about who was up, who was down, where we were, and where we were going to be. Where we were going to be was such an essential part of every conversation, because Logan was one of those people that you planned to have in your life. The last time we I saw Logan, we had dinner and planned the 2008 election cycle. He was going to manage a campaign, and I would be his field director. I would blindly follow Logan into battle because he had more than enough intelligence and an more than accurate enough moral compass for the both of us.

Beyond politics we shared the addictions of debate and baseball. We talk about rounds and trade rumors, team politics and the standings. Despite never having a drink, he came to every single one of my parties. He knew they were important to me and would put that first. One time I told him that if he didn’t come to my party I would drunk dial him and talk to him about the Mariners starting rotation. I did that twice the first time he was on my porch and gave me grief for calling him even though he was coming to the party. The second was four days before he died. I was visiting my little brother at college and we were going to go out for the night. I called Logan to let him know that despite it really not being practical for him to come, there was a party and I would spare him my drunkenness but he would have to talk to me about the M’s rotation. Our last conversation mirrored almost every conversation we had meandering from Frank Thomas’ contract, to how the debate team was doing, back to baseball, to politics, and then ending with not a promise to spend more time together when I got back next semester.

Logan represented most of what I deem to be virtuous and I try to live up to his standard, though, I usually end up quite short. He was an amazing friend. I miss him very much and am thankful of the time I was lucky enough to have with him.

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Tags: LoganWill, friendship, Thanksgiving