garyjr
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I went to sports shooter today and read this story.
Thought you would like to read it as well. Here is the link.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/2323
|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2009-11-11
I lost a Great Friend
Gary Bogdon's best friend Chris Livingston was killed on Monday while riding his bike in Florida.
By Gary Bogdon
Photo by Chris Livingston
Photo by Chris Livingston
Catherine, Chris and Benjamin Livingston pose for a portrait on Benjamin's first birthday, November 10, 2008.
It's with sad hearts that we lost a great person to tragedy this week. One of my closest friends, former SportsShooter.com member and fellow photographer, Chris Livingston, 36, was struck by a car and killed Monday, Nov. 10th, 2009 while riding his bike and training for a triathlon. He is survived by his wife Catherine, and their 2-year-old son Benjamin.
Chris and I have been close friends for about 8 years. We traveled together on assignment quite often, and spoke to each other several times a day. When I called him and his wife Catherine answered, she'd jokingly call him to the phone "Chris, it's your other wife..." We were very close, like brothers almost. When I got the call from Cathy about the horrible accident, my heart just sank. It's the worst feeling in the world to lose someone so close, and in the prime of his life.
Chris was probably the most dedicated husband, father, and son that you would ever meet. He was an extremely talented photographer (http://www.chrislivingston.com) and even though he considered me his mentor, I learned as much if not more from him as a person. He would just light up a room, when he came into it, always with a laugh and a smile- no matter what the situation.
Chris was the first person I would call with any technology question, (whether it was a new app for our iphones, or a software issue, or how to make something happen with a new camera and remotes). He could figure it out.
I was so proud of him, especially after the birth of his son Benjamin (who turned 2 years this week). He began his quest to get physically fit and lost over 60 pounds by running, cycling, swimming and eating healthy. He ran in the OUC Downtown Orlando Triathlon in September with a personal best time. He did it not just for himself but also for his family. That's how he was.
He was an excellent photographer as well, with absolutely no ego. He worked regularly for The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and EPA. His images appeared in numerous magazines including Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and People. Even with all of that success, he was as excited about every assignment as if it were his first. Some of the highlights of his photography career would have to be covering Hurricane Katrina (where he lived for several weeks in an RV in New Orleans, while shooting daily) and the Super Bowl. You could call Chris at the last minute and ask "can you go anywhere?" and he was out the door so fast it would make your head spin. He would always come back with a great picture.
Nothing brought him greater joy though, than the birth of their son Benjamin, which changed his and Cathy's world. There was no one more proud of being a dad than Chris Livingston. He would be the first to tell you so. Since Benjamin came into the world, Chris was able to spend more time with him as a 'stay at home dad' and still able to work his freelance career around his family life. You've heard stories about how hard it is to work from home with a small child. Well, Chris made it work. And his wife Catherine supported him 100 percent. She was his biggest cheerleader.
It's not that often that someone comes into your life who makes such a big impact on you, but Chris certainly did for me. I will miss him greatly, and I'm just so sad for his family. But I know that Chris is looking down on us and thinking to himself, "why are they making such a fuss about me?" That's just how he was, always thinking of everyone else first. The best way to describe Chris, was 'Passion'. He had a passion for life. He drank it up, and wanted more. He loved people, and would chat up anyone, anytime. That's what I loved about him.
Photo by
Chris Livingston as a young football player.
I'll miss talking to him everyday and reading his many (and I mean many) facebook updates about what he's cooking on the lanai tonight. I'll miss his updates on his runkeeper about his workouts, and how many miles he ran, biked or swam each day. I'll miss our jabbing at each other back and forth over who is better in football each season - his South Florida Bulls, or my Florida State Seminoles. I'll miss reminding him each basketball season about how many championships my Indiana Hoosiers have won. I'll miss him sending me funny photos of him and Benjamin doing everyday things that dads and sons do. I'll miss the wine selection updates that he would email me. I'll miss his tech support when I'm on the road, and having one of my many 'senior' moments. But mostly I'll just miss him terribly. Please don't forget him, I never will!
Chris, you are the best friend anyone could have asked for.
Gary Bogdon
PS- I know you're watching and listening Chris, and you never heard me say this before, but I'll say it for you now "Go Bulls!"
Edited on Nov 14, 2009 at 07:53 AM · View previous versions
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