In Memory of Dennis Lynds
Karin Finell -- August 27, 2005
Dennis Lynds, mystery writer of over eighty novels and more than two hundred short stories passed away at age 81. The prolific author whose psuedonym is Michael Collins, was best known for the hard-boiled private eye series, featuring a one-armed detective, Dan Fortune. As a democratic socialist, Collins mixed sociological commentary with his crime-solving page turners.
Lynds was on his way to visit his hospitalized daughter Katie before he died Friday, August 27 at UC San Francisco Medical Center. Dennis, along with his wife, author Gayle Lynds, have been beloved members of the Santa Barbara writing community for many years. Karin Finell remembers Dennis Lynds and writes about his memorial service on Saturday at Santa Barbara Unitarian Church.
Dennis Lynds life was remembered at the Unitarian church in Santa Barbara today. For personal health reasons I was late in getting there and missed the music by concert pianist Alexandra Leslie and the procession of the Honor Guard and Bagpiper. I entered the church passing by a display of Dennis' memorabilia. A large display of his combat medals from WWII, pictures of himself in uniform when he was young and a great portrait (handsome and smiling with the most dreamy wide-set eyes), and directly on the right before passing into the sanctuary were his neatly folded jeans, his shirt, his well worn brown leather belt, and crowning this array sat his signature cowboy hat. Seeing these items so recently worn by the man we all admired so much, made my heart constrict.
The clothes are there, but where is he?
I had also missed Gayle's speech and those by her daughters and family members. I was present when a number of luminaries, professors and writers spoke. Then there were the impromptu testimonies by friends, mainly Dennis' poker playing buddies. The church has unfortunate acoustics, which made me miss much of what was being said, but there must be something about the pitch of a female's voice, for I could clearly understand every word spoken by Catherine Remak, journalist and radio host and a close friend to Dennis' daughters, who had loved Dennis throughout her growing to adulthood years. A most moving and personal tribute to the loving heart of Dennis, the father, as well as to Dennis, the husband of Gayle. Catherine quoted her nine year old son, who had recently asked her, "Mom, would you rather have fulfilled your dream and died young, or have grown old and lived a hum-drum (maybe not the exact word) life?" Quite a question from a nine year old. Catherine thought about the question and answered, "I'd like to do both, live my dream and a long life." It then occurred to her, that is the life Dennis had lived. He'd lived his dream, with Gayle and love and writing and fulfillment in having had 80 plus books published. An amazing life, fully lived.
Dennis and Gayle Lynds
After about two hours (I had to walk around outside for about ten minutes because my newly operated back could not take sitting in one place that long), a bagpipe player in kilt and sporran--Douglas clan--walked up the aisle toward the altar. The bagpipes affected me unexpectedly, though I'm not Scottish, and made me choke. The Bagpiper was followed by the solemn walk of two marines in dress uniform, carrying a folded flag. (One, a man, the other a young black woman. How very fitting for a social democrat.) At the altar they unfolded the flag ceremoniously, held it out wide, this was followed by a moment of silence, then they folded it again and marched down the aisle. I would not have thought that these simple acts of a genuine patriotism would move me so. By the time we left the church, I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. It was a fitting "good-bye" to an old soldier and a great writer and humanitarian.
Gayle looked beautiful in a tragic way. She bore her pain regally, only her eyes looked as though she had shed many a tear. For her the reality of not having him by her side will set in after the children have left and the hubbub of the funeral is over.
There was a wonderful buffet of cold foods and wines and drinks set out in the lovely patio, under a glorious blue sky with palms swaying in a light breeze. White umbrellas shaded the tables and chairs. If the occasion were not so sad, it would have been a lovely party. The sadness is for Gayle, and the loneliness she will feel after having had a life of such immense closeness with Dennis. Dennis had lived his life well, to its greatest fulfillment, and there would have been no regrets, other than having to leave his Gayle. The shadow which still hangs over it all is his daughter's coma in San Francisco. My thoughts are with Cathy, and my wished that she may awaken from her coma as from a long and restful sleep, which has healed her wounds.
If you'd like to make a donation in Dennis Lynds memory, the University of California at Santa Barbara will take donations for the Dennis Lynds Special Collection. Make checks payable to UC Regents, Davidson Library. Please note on the check: Davidson Library, Dennis Lynds Special Collection. Mail to: UCSB, attn: Davidson Library, Dennis Lynds Special Collection. Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010. Also accepting donations in Lynds' honor is the Democratic Socialists of America, 180 Varik Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10014.