All too rarely, a uniquely special person is among us, dedicating their gifts and talents to help make our world a better place. When they pass, we experience a collective pause. Not simply to grieve that they are gone, though losing them creates an enormous gulf. We also pause for the deepest of grateful sighs for their profound contributions.

Throughout the time that I was honored to know him, Coach has been a steadfast inspiration. His good work went beyond the millions of dollars he raised to assure the kids who came to the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic knew they were valued and knew their potential. His lasting influence went beyond the way he mentored so many shining sports stars into being the kinds of guiding stars that look out for our communities. Coach was also special because of how he helped people keep on striving. On my worst days, he reminded me of what could be. When I was tired, he reminded me of why the struggle was more important – more worthy – than my comfort. When I doubted, he demonstrated that goodness was stronger than any evil and that we all had plenty of goodness in our souls to do what needed to be done.

When I first met him a few decades ago in my earliest years at the clinic, Coach’s presence had me starstruck. And why not. He demonstrated what a life of honor looked like. He showed, through word and deed, that any accumulation of renown was only as good as its capacity to lift others up. He often said, ‘kids are our future’, and those four words were deceptively deep. His was a cautionary message, that our future hangs in a balance that is predicated on our ability to make sure every child, even the most disadvantaged, is vested with the tools they deserve to thrive. He invited us to see that every kid is our kid. His was a hope-filled vision of the amazing things that youth in our community could do to improve this world. His four words made society make sense; they gave us all purpose and promise.

Coach Lenny’s uncanny ability to make those around him better never ceased to be a source of awe. Of course, this had always been his alchemy; he was the unmatched maestro of world champions within the lines on the basketball court. But Lenny’s ability to summon excellence had no bounds. Wherever he went, he made those around him want to be better people, and thanks to him, they were. Lenny personified class and dignity. Although we all knew there was only one Coach, his spirit still made us each strive to be a higher version of ourselves.

Special people are kind of gifted to the rest of us, for a time, to help our society reach a higher plane. It would be the ultimate betrayal to Coach if our efforts to help make a better world ended with his passing. So, in remembering Lenny, I hope we are all more ardent warriors for the good that he represents. These are hard days, no doubt. But it is not so hard to commit to being decent, caring human beings. It is not so hard to, like Coach, let our neighbors, our friends, and even our adversaries know that we see the good in them. It is not so outrageous to believe, thanks to him, that there is no challenge that we together cannot overcome.

Many great people have walked among us. Some people lay lofty claim to being the greatest of the great. Coach Lenny, to me, eclipses them all, because he is the greatest good person of our time. Thank you, Coach, for all you have offered as you walked in quiet dignity among us.

-Benjamin Danielson MD