December 8th, 1998
Dear Friends, On Thanksgiving Day I had the great joy
of fox hunting with my father for the first time in five
years. I spent most of the day in the back of the field
assisting with the closing of gates. At the end of the day I
made my way up to the front of the field to ride with my
dad. We jumped a few fences together on our way back to the
meet. Nothing made me happier because I knew how happy my
father was to have me in his hunt field. On Sunday evening around 10:00pm, my
father passed from this earth. He had suffered a fall
earlier in the day while out doing what he loved most, fox
hunting. During a long run his horse suffered a heart attack
and went down, taking him with him. He was Medivac to the
Washington Hospital Center where he held on long enough for
all of us to get by his side. Over the past few days I have tried to
keep myself very busy. I am sorry if I have not returned all
the calls or email but just hearing your voices and reading
your notes has been a great help. I have set-up a web site
in honor of my father's life and would be honored to have my
friends visit and meet dear old Erskine,
www.erskinebedford.com For the most part, I ask that instead of
attending the service, that we see each other after this is
all over. It is at that time that I will need company most
as this all really sets in. From the bottom my heart, thanks you all
for your words and calls. Dean Erskine Bedford