Well this is surely a shitty way to start the day. First I heard was an email from Rick so I came to Pinside to see what is going on.

One of his friends told me awhile ago Lyman was talking about retiring.

They don't come any nicer. He came to my business a few times. Always brought souvenirs and autographed things for people. Even helped me when I was kicking the heck out of a game and then going over the people list on the playfield, if any of the names were at my event I was going to be very unhappy with them. Lyman came over and I explained what was going on. He looked it over and asked, "who designed this ?". Fun times.

The picture is of Lyman and Todd Andersen ( who has repair articles on Pinball News ). This was my 30th Anniversary party tournament. Todd would be the first to tell you he loved pinball, but was a mediocre player. Todd gutted his way through the entire tournament and played Lyman in the final. Lyman didn't cut him any slack, Todd won. By then Todd was pumped up and asked Lyman, "would you sign my flyer, bitch ? ". Which Lyman graciously did.

Lyman my friend. I will miss you. Even at shows you always took time to visit. My heart goes out to Penni and your loved ones. Thank you for all you did for pinball. Thank you for all you did for me.
Lloyd

Lyman (resized).jpg

This made me think of a passage in A River Runs Through It.

“Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing to help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding.”
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through it

LTG

To honor Lyman.

Remember 988.

24/7 call if you are so depressed and have no where to turn. There is help.

LTG : )