Otto Schreiber 1932-2018 My Friend-My Soulmate

Oh my dearest friend Otto, I’ve just received the saddest news;
That a great man has now passed away, whom for forty-six years I knew!
My tears are so freely falling, I have loved you for over four decades;
You will live in my Soul forever, your memory I’ll never let fade!
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I remember the day that I met you, in October of seventy-two;
You and June were doing an antique show, with works that fine artists drew!
It was Friday when the show opened, I was one of the first ones there;
The moment that we started talking, I knew you were a man so rare!
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For I mentioned my favorite artist, a Spaniard named Zamacois;
Not only did you know him, but you said “A painting by him I have got”!
I could not believe that you had one, by an artist so very obscure;
I realized then we would be buddies, our friendship would so long endure!
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I came up to Cleveland to see you, four days later, early on Tuesday morn;
I was amazed with your vast collection, our great relationship then was born!
Sometimes you and June came to see me, we’d drive all over my town;
First we would do our business, then find paintings that were scattered around!
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Whenever I came up to Cleveland, it became a sacred ritual;
For us to go eat Weiner Schnitzel, in the East Hungarian section sold!
You had a precious term of endearment, that made tears in my heart run;
When I’d phone you and June would answer, she’d call out “Otto, it’s your Son”!
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I have known a multitude of dealers, but none with you can compare;
For so many years we were Soulmates, such beautiful love did we share!
We would sit in your art filled studio, and roar with jokes that we told;
We might have repeated them occasionally, but they never seemed to get old!
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I’d think about you in the Summers, when to Europe you always would fly;
I’d eagerly wait for your postcards, their words often made me cry!
I’d count the days until you would be home, I’d come up to see you real fast;
We would talk about all of your travels, and share a lovely repast!
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So sadly I recall those dire days, when your dear June began to slip;
But through it all you stayed so strong, somehow you kept your grip!
I remember the morning I called you, and you told me she’d passed away;
It tore my heart to pieces, one of my very saddest of days!
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I’m also recalling the last time I saw you, in March of 2016;
I drove up from down in Florida, the nicest weather so rarely seen!
I got there at two-thirty, we talked, then Chris, you, and me;
Drove down for dinner at Bruno’s, and we ate fabulous Calamari!
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I just got a call from Rachel Davis, the most horrible news could be;
She said, “Larry, Otto has passed away, I’m sending his obituary”!
I cannot be there for your Funeral, for I am committed to do a show;
Maybe, you will come there to see me, I will look for your Angel’s glow!
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                                     My dear friend Otto
                           You’ll live in my heart and Soul
                                   Till the ends of time