I met Ira fall 1972, in Birch Hall at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. His roommate was Michael Tanner. In 1973-74 Ira and I were swept up in retro 1960s nostalgia, blasting Wolfman Jack oldies in his jacked-up Ford Falcon with the raccoon tail dangling from the rear antenna. Paired with a stylish cap, Ira often wore a red and white corduroy American Graffiti-vintage car coat embroidered "John '65." We were hired as Amazon River tour guides by the infamous "Jungle Mike" Tsalickis in Leticia, Colombia. That time with Jeff Stripple in Oxford, Ohio. Trips from SW Ohio to New Hampshire in Ira's Alfa Romeo. And El Paso, TX to S. California in his ’57 Chevy. Shared an apartment (2211 Jones) spring-summer 1976 when Ira was at the San Francisco Art Institute. Graffeo coffee. Sam Wo and Tai Tung restaurants. His friends Alan, Oscar, Kee-Wah and René. Roxy Music's "Stranded" album blaring out the apartment window while he was working on his car. The Tubes' "Young And Rich" album and Bimbos concert (WPOD). Ira visited me in Chicago several times. In 1980 he brought a poster from the London glam/punk clothing store BOY. His albums had been stolen so he was glad to receive a replacement copy of our favorite HY LIT various artists oldies LP. We were in touch as recently as January 2022. Farewell my friend. It will take more than death to slow you down. Say hello to Bryan Young (Woodstock Country School, Vermont), Michael Zempter and (Michael) Ross McConnell.
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