Louis Awerbuck
Robbie Barrkman says good-bye to a long-time friend
Stubborn, single-minded, articulate, knowledgeable, independent, moral, inquisitive, interesting and accomplished.
There is not much more I can say about the character of one of my oldest and dearest friends.
I decided to post this short note in hopes of curtailing the speculation and misinformation that is circulating regarding Louis’ death, which will, hopefully, set the record straight.
Without getting into too much personal detail, Louis had a series of serious and debilitating medical problems that left him very ill, weak, and at times, barely able to move physically; but perhaps most seriously, medical problems that left him filled with despair and without hope for recovery. Tuesday, at noon, my friend, Louis, made the ultimate decision to end the many months of pain and suffering that he had been experiencing.
He and Leigh spent this last weekend with my wife and I, and on Sunday morning Louis and I sat out on the back patio where Louis and I had what was probably the longest conversation we’ve ever had in the 35 years that I knew him. I am so thankful that we did that; little did I know it would be our last. There would have been so many more things I would like to have told him.
Louis, a simple but very insightful man who had a huge impact on literally hundreds if not thousands of lives.
And like all successful men, there is someone special behind the scenes providing unwavering support and in Louis life that special person is Louis’ life-long partner, Leigh. Since December, when the downhill spiral began, she has been unwavering in her love and support for Louis. I believe most women would have faltered under the incredible load foisted on her by his deteriorating health.
Never, not once, did she give up or voice dismay at the situation other than frustration at the medical community, which we all did. Bless you Leigh, you are a Heroine in the true sense of the word.
Louis is gone in person but his memory and teachings will live on longer than any one reading this, I believe that with all my heart.
I hope that his wish came true on Tuesday, that he is embracing his Mom and Dad, and Trigger is at his feet.
Totsiens Gawie my ou vriend.
Robbie Barrkman
5 Comments
I am a Gunsite Alumni. I took a “Advanced Pistol Fighting” Course from Louis at http://www.SouthernExposureTraining.com Three days with Louis was, well, a unique training experience that I cherish. RIP our Warrior Teacher! D.V.C. Zeno Weir
I was extrmemely privileged to have been on one of Louis’s firing lines as one of his students for at leasat 3-4 times over the last 10 years. What always amazed me was his ability to guide as many as 20 students at the same time. Yet, I felt that it was a one-on-one training session with Louis every time. I have a suspician that each of the other 19 in our class felt the same way.
Another question that I would have liked to ask him was how he was able to keep everything straight whenever he had his rolling thunder exercises and how he would be able to quickly identify and tell that single individual among all of his other students to “feed the chamber”. Louis was right every time.
He was a one-of-a-kind and a very unique instructor. It’s too bad that no one was ever able to clone him. He is missed so much already. The world has lost a great person.
I’ve had the privilege of taking several classes from Louis over the past dozen or so years. Every class was like trying to drink from a firehose as some of us came to refer to it. He was always patient and gracious but he expected your best effort on every shot. The 1st time he praised something I did in a class, I felt 10 feet tall.
The world is a lesser place without him and I grieve for Leigh for they were literally joined at the hip. I take solace in knowing that when we enter the Elysian Fields, Louis will be there waiting for us.
Hello Robbie,
We do not know each other but I want to thank you for sharing your heartfelt message about our cousin Louis Awerback’s sad passing. The words you have used to describe Louis’ character is very special and a perfect reflection of the person that we new him to be.
As Louis family in South Africa we were not aware of his health challenges and we were shocked and are extremely saddened to hear of his passing.
My mother Connie Joselowitz and myself have maintained contact with Louis over many years, however as you know Louis was not one to communicate much, so our connection was at most bi-annual and yet we always treasured any contact that we had with him. Louis and I shared a common love of Dogs and we discussed our pets with great passion.
It was also Louis who advised me after I was Hi-jacked at gun point, that I was better off not ‘arming’ myself in case of this scenario happening again in the future, as he said that the gangster would always be in the position to be more prepared! Such good advice!
We are so sorry that we were not in a position to offer Louis and Leigh our family support during what sounds like was a very painful period both physically and mentally) for him but from the sounds of your note and the other posts, Louis had wonderful support in friends such as yourself.
RIP our cousin Louis - We are sure that Aunty Ettie has welcomed you back into her fold!
All our love from Beth-Ann Keschner, Connie, Jack and Stefan Joselowitz
My dear cousin. R I P
Connie