Stay Strong vs. ALS

June 30, 2025 Update

When our kids were growing up, during family dinners, we always did High‘s/Low’s to spur conversation. If you ask a kid, how was school, they say, fine. But when you ask, what was the best part of your day and what was the worst part of your day, it leads to a totally different conversation.

As we come to the end of June, I was reflecting on the extremes of my highs/lows for the month. On the “High”, it was celebrating a 35-year relationship with the Doyle family in the Sierra Nevada mountains. What started as a professional relationship when I was the San Francisco District Manager for Caterpillar has transitioned to a personal friendship that not only includes Ann but also our kids and now our grandkids. The time together just reaffirmed that Caterpillar is a relationship business, we just happen to sell machines, engines, and parts.

The “Low” for the month was also extreme. I lost a dear friend, Peter Warlick, to this devastating disease. As this short tribute video (https://youtu.be/2XODTyNlrEM) highlights, he faced the disease with courage and an absolute drive to make a positive difference. In the beginning, there were three ALS patients working together to help stand up Answer ALS; myself, Peter and Jay Fishman. We are now down to one. With his passing, the emotions range from sadness to anger, but I quickly settle into a greater sense of resolve to make a difference, to keep pushing.

As we head into July, my understanding that every day is a gift has been reinforced. You stay strong and I’ll do the same. Ed