August 2, 2024

Around 1981 I hit extreme low points in my personal and professional lives. That’s when I met Sandy Overbey, who urged me to join the small ad agency where he worked. I did, and soon after he helped set me on a trajectory out of my doldrums and, arguably, into the greatest years of my life.

Sandy was my friend, mentor, and adult guidance counselor. He was also a wonderful illustrator, creative thinker, theologian, traveler, chef, and philosopher. He lost his 14-year-old daughter tragically, a few years before I met him, and I think that gave him a special empathetic outlook on life. He could read people’s strengths and weaknesses perfectly.

We were both “lapsed Catholics.” Whereas I drifted away from religious belief in my 30s, Sandy was a constant seeker. In time he came to identify with the Quakers, and, in his 50s, got a degree in theology from Georgetown U. Most importantly, he lived a life of service to others. I doubt anyone in Sandy’s social orbit, (with his wife, Anne), wasn’t in some way touched by their kindness, generosity, support, and/or care. For a solid year, he drove my mother-in-law to physical therapy once a week, and that wasn’t unusual.

I can’t count the ways in which Sandy impacted my life for the better. I would never have been a graphic designer without his encouragement and guidance. He literally picked out my townhouse for me when I dithered on whether and where to move when my first marriage foundered. He embraced Elizabeth when we started dating. My family all loved Sandy, as did my in-laws and friends.

Anne passed away last December after a lengthy bout of cancer. Sandy died early this morning of a heart attack at 82. I’m guessing it was more likely of a broken heart, despondent over losing his beloved wife. But Sandy was a believer, so if he’s now at peace and back with Anne, all is well.

PHOTO: ©Christian Overbey 2023