A few weeks after Robert’s funeral it dawned on me that although the vast majority of teenagers in our little town of 2,500 people were present, there were still some who were not. No doubt some could not get off work, or perhaps were a few years younger and did not know Robert personally. There were so many lessons to be learned from that fateful weekend. How could I reach those who were not at the funeral?

          Our town, like many of its size, has a weekly newspaper. I decided to write Robert’s story and have it published in our paper. If they didn’t consider it “newsworthy” I would buy ad space. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was reaching young people with Robert’s story while his death was still fresh on everyone’s mind. Our newspaper, The West News, graciously donated a full page to print the story. Although young people are usually not ones to read a newspaper, I felt their parents would be sure their sons and daughters read Robert’s story. That they did.

          On the day the newspaper was printed I started receiving phone calls, mostly from parents, telling me that they were going to have their kids who drove read the article that evening, or save it for later when their children were at the appropriate age. I also received a few letters, again mostly from parents.  The most response came in the form of emails, as I included my email address in the article. (I asked that anyone who may have pictures of Robert, especially any taken at the parade he was in on his final day, to please contact me. I included my email address in the article for that reason.)

          Many of the emails I received were from young people. In addition to the usual extensions of sympathy, a large number of them wrote to say that reading Robert’s story made them realize that they indeed were not invincible, and promised to never drink and drive, or get into a vehicle with a driver who had been drinking. That confirmed to me that Robert’s story had the potential to change some lives, the very reason I wrote it.

          In addition to the expanded information, links and resources that I have included in this website, I also have shared some of my personal revelations that resulted from Robert’s death. Robert’s mistakes are not the only ones that others can learn from. Parents can hopefully learn from mine as well. I encourage every parent to read the page titled “A Father’s Regrets.” I have tried to make it clear that this website is not about a “pity party” for Robert’s dad. It’s about learning from other people’s mistakes, and as a parent I made my share as well.

          I have also received email from other parents who have lost a son or daughter. With that in mind, I have also included links and resources pertaining to grief. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one I encourage you to explore this section.

          I wish to clarify that the intent of this website is NOT to promote prohibition. By my own admission, I drank alcohol from my early teens until a few months after Robert’s death. Those of legal age have the right to purchase and consume alcohol. But if you drive after drinking, just as I did for over 30 years, you are endangering not only yourself but anyone who may be in your path.