Wes Ferguson

On the death of one man

Bob Shimeld

I met Bob Shimeld only once, several years ago, on a bus. We chatted for all of 15 minutes, if that, but the conversation stuck with me. I never forgot him.

It was a summer morning in Longview, Texas, and the bus picked up Shimeld in front of a Walmart store on the north side. Boarding took longer than usual because the driver had to get up and help Shimeld with his electric wheelchair. The back of his chair, I noticed, had been decorated with a Massachusetts novelty license plate that read B-O-B, for Bob.

Shimeld said he moved from the Northeast about five years earlier to escape the winters in his home state. “If you stay still too long, your wheelchair will freeze to the ground,” he joked. “No snow tires for a wheelchair.”

He claimed to have thrown a dart at a map of Texas. The dart hit Longview, so that’s where he went. He liked the place. The people were friendly. He was a 72-year-old military veteran who described his days as “a lot of sitting around,” which was easy enough to do in a wheelchair.

I got off the bus a few stops after Shimeld boarded, and I never saw him again. After that day, I also never got back on the bus. When I am in East Texas and need to make a grocery run, or want to go to a restaurant or anywhere else, I hop in my Jeep or ride with someone else. Our cities are built for getting around with a car. My only reason for riding the bus on that day was to visit with the passengers of Longview Transit for a story that appeared in the newspaper.

The passengers I met included elderly retirees who could no longer drive safely. Other passengers worked the kinds of low-paying jobs that help keep the rest of our lives running smoothly: a grocery store cashier, for example, and a hairdresser with epilepsy. One man named John Solomon had just finished his shift scrubbing dishes at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. His hands, wrists and forearms were peeling badly from the soapy water, but he hadn’t noticed. He was traveling home to spend the evening with his young son and daughter.

Most of the people I met that day were dealing with less-than-ideal circumstances, but they were upbeat and optimistic about their futures. They had jobs and homes, and they talked about their determination to better their lives. They seemed to make Longview a richer place. Somehow they managed to do it all without a vehicle, a complication that most of us would never consider.

That was in 2009. Shimeld died on Dec. 16. I read about his death in the newspaper. He was trying to cross McCann Road near a busy intersection not far from K-Mart when a pickup turned onto the road and struck him.

The News-Journal reported that Shimeld was the sixth pedestrian killed in the city in 2014. That’s three times the average death rate for pedestrians in Texas, the paper also reported. A subsequent editorial described the “grim realities of the danger while walking” and noted that municipal officials are aware of the problem and are planning to address it in the city’s next comprehensive plan. Well, good.

Where Shimeld died, the intersection does not have a crosswalk. Lots of the city’s intersections don’t, because so few people need them. But some do. People like Shimeld. I’ll try not to forget that.

Wes Ferguson

4,108 responses to “On the death of one man”

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

  1. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for this insightful article. Your unique perspective and well-researched content bring a fresh depth to the subject matter. It’s evident that you’ve invested considerable thought into this, and your ability to convey complex ideas in such a clear and understandable way is truly commendable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously and making the learning process enjoyable.

    Reply

  2. I do believe that a home foreclosure can have a major effect on the applicant’s life. Real estate foreclosures can have a 7 to decade negative affect on a applicant’s credit report. A new borrower that has applied for home financing or any loans for that matter, knows that the worse credit rating is, the more hard it is to secure a decent mortgage loan. In addition, it could possibly affect the borrower’s power to find a decent place to lease or rent, if that results in being the alternative housing solution. Great blog post.

    Reply

  4. Thanks for revealing your ideas. I’d personally also like to express that video games have been ever before evolving. Modern technology and improvements have assisted create genuine and fun games. Most of these entertainment video games were not actually sensible when the actual concept was being used. Just like other designs of electronics, video games also have had to grow via many years. This is testimony for the fast continuing development of video games.

    Reply

  5. Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips for rookie blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

    Reply

  8. You actually make it seem really easy together with
    your presentation however I in finding this matter to be
    really something which I think I would never understand. It sort of feels too complex and very huge for
    me. I’m taking a look forward to your subsequent post,
    I’ll try to get the dangle of it!

    Reply

  9. I’ve discovered a treasure trove of knowledge in your blog. Your unwavering dedication to offering trustworthy information is truly commendable. Each visit leaves me more enlightened, and I deeply appreciate your consistent reliability.

    Reply

  10. In a world where trustworthy information is more crucial than ever, your dedication to research and the provision of reliable content is truly commendable. Your commitment to accuracy and transparency shines through in every post. Thank you for being a beacon of reliability in the online realm.

    Reply

  11. Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions? With thanks

    Reply

  12. I have witnessed that wise real estate agents everywhere you go are Promoting. They are realizing that it’s in addition to placing a poster in the front property. It’s really about building associations with these dealers who sooner or later will become customers. So, when you give your time and energy to helping these vendors go it alone – the “Law associated with Reciprocity” kicks in. Great blog post.

    Reply

  13. I have mastered some new points from your web-site about computer systems. Another thing I’ve always considered is that computers have become something that each home must have for a lot of reasons. They offer convenient ways to organize the home, pay bills, go shopping, study, focus on music and in many cases watch tv series. An innovative way to complete these tasks is by using a computer. These pcs are portable ones, small, robust and mobile.

    Reply

  16. I’m in awe of the author’s capability to make complicated concepts understandable to readers of all backgrounds. This article is a testament to his expertise and commitment to providing helpful insights. Thank you, author, for creating such an engaging and enlightening piece. It has been an unforgettable experience to read!

    Reply

  18. My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

    Reply

  21. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

    Reply

  25. I have mastered some important matters through your website post. One other point I would like to say is that there are numerous games that you can buy which are designed mainly for toddler age youngsters. They consist of pattern identification, colors, wildlife, and models. These typically focus on familiarization instead of memorization. This makes children occupied without having the experience like they are studying. Thanks

    Reply

  34. Güvenilir bir dan??man için medyum nasip hocay? seçin en iyi medyum hocalardan bir tanesidir.

    Reply

  38. Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous
    to and you’re just too magnificent. I really like what you have acquired
    here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it.

    You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.
    I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific web site.

    Reply

  40. Amazing blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it
    from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out.
    Please let me know where you got your theme.
    Thank you

    Reply

  41. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should publish more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t speak about such issues. To the next! All the best!

    Reply

  46. May I simply just say what a relief to find somebody who really understands what they’re talking about over the internet. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people must check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular since you definitely have the gift.

    Reply

  47. Hi! I simply wish to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent information you have right here on this post. I am coming back to your website for more soon.

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *