In respect to Dave Thomas
Dave's personal story has given me strength on occasion to move forward when the bastards have been calling for my head.
From his birth and until his death, he didn't let some difficult childhood stuff stand in his way. He was honest, benevolent to charities established to assist adoption, and donated a significant sum of money in quiet ways.
One such donation was to Duke University, where he donated a significant sum of money to the Fuqua-Varina School of Business where the Thomas Center was built. It houses those who travel into Durham on weekends to pursue an E-MBA. This generosity came from a man who never graduated from high school let alone college. Of interest, is that just a few short miles away is the Medical Center at Duke where a significant thrust of activity is focused on treating people with food addictions.
The newslines are taking about the man who built Wendy's, something that we can all identify with.
In my eye, he was far bigger than his business empire. He was a man who cared about those looking to be cared for.
His burgers were square because he didn't believe in cutting corners.
Having a Dead Guy list, or a Dead Girl list, can be lots of fun. Maybe from time to time we can underscore what the person in passing has done for his fellow brothers and sisters to make this place a better world. (compared to Howard Stern having a Pool to see who dies first....)