I first met Wayne just less than a year ago after his diagnosis. He came to me as a patient for recommendations and further care. I found him to be optimistic, yet realistic and at the time we both felt there would be no reason for him not to still be with us today. The subsequent weeks and months regretfully proved us to be mistaken. During that time, I feel like I got to know Wayne quite well. He was very accomplished, yet modest. He was also very gracious and also very generous. We became friends, not just patient-doctor. I learned of his amazing love for his family and also his love for fishing and hunting. we would text each other and he would share pictures with me of some of his successes with rod and reel and also while hunting. His cancer recurred quite soon after his surgery and in spite of this he continued with great attitude and bravely sought to beat the cancer, but at the same time continued seeking every opportunity to spend time with family and pursue his passions. In spite of his illness, he joined me and others in South Dakota in December for a pheasant hunt and fundraiser for sarcoma research. We had a great time sharing with each other, getting to know each other more, and promising to have more adventures together. Little did we know then that Wayne's condition would begin to worsen. In spite of such, he still invited me to come fish with him in Florida. My promise and intention to do so unfortunately did not get fulfilled in the amount of time that Wayne still had remaining. I will miss my friend, his smiles and laughter, the photos of fishes caught, and deer and pheasants harvested, the stories of his grandkids, his love for family.
Peace,
David Monson
