Time to come home dear brother your tour of duty through
You’ve given as much as anyone could be expected to do
So, take your place of honor among those who have gone before
And know you will be remembered for now and evermore
Robert Longley

Friday, January 24, 2020: At our age we lose people to disease or old age, and if I’ve introduced them in previous Excellent Adventure Journals, I tend to memorialize them upon their passing. I decided to issue a special edition as today we lost a great friend and a great man. Vince Ullrich has succumbed to a short but courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by a loving family, and many friends around the country. Vince, and his wife Candy enjoyed the RV lifestyle…

…traveling in their motorhome with canine companion, Jake. Their RV allowed them to escape the Maine winters for balmy Key West.

Where they assembled with other “Winter Floridians”…

…and enjoyed the retiree lifestyle.

In addition to being a devoted family man, Vince was a retired Navy Master Chief serving in various P-3 aircraft squadrons. I first met Vince some thirty years ago when he hired on at Lockheed and became a highly skilled Test Engineer on the U. S. Navy’s Aegis Combat System.

Kit and I joined Vince and Candy along with other couples…

…on various outings and adventures, including camping trips on the Saco River where we would bring everything imaginable piled high in canoes. And then gingerly make our way down river to our favorite sandbar for a weekend of comradery and partying.

Vince was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and paddling many of Maines classic rivers. This last aspect of his life is where a few of us knew him best. Vince organized many multi-day camping trips on rivers throughout the state…

…which often included our children and grandchildren.

Whether it be a spring trip on the Moose River…

…or a pleasant paddle down the Penobscot…

…or a ten-day paddle on the iconic Allagash Wilderness Waterway…

…Vince was in his element.

Fair winds and following seas old friend…

…enjoy paddling those meandering rivers in heaven.

Kit’s Bit’s: As we mourn the passing of a dear friend, we are reminded to enjoy every minute with our loved ones and friends each and every day. Life is fragile. We, as well as Vince & Candy’s family and friends will be there for them, as they have been for us for many years. Sending love to the Ullrich Family.