Byron Whipple, broker/owner of City Center Realty, died Saturday night in a boating accident on Clear Lake.

If you did not get to know Byron, you missed an opportunity to know a truly wonderful man. A former water ski racing champion, he was injured in a fall nearly 30 years ago, and that led to him being confined to a wheelchair, with limited use of his arms. But rather than spending the rest of his life being cared for, he worked hard to be not only self-sufficient as possible, but also build and operate a successful real estate business and contribute to the community in a variety of ways.

I had the privilege to meet Byron as we both entered the Lake County real estate community back in the mid-80s. During that time, there have been competitors that I either liked, or admired or respected. But there have been only a few competitors that I have liked, and admired and respected; Byron was one of these.

I liked him because of his upbeat, positive, energetic personality. His sense of humor was a little strange, like my own. He was never a “downer.” Being around him was fun, informative and positive. He always came across to me as genuinely warm and caring. He had passion for real estate, for sports, for our community and for Clear Lake, and that passion was contagious.

I admired him because his obstacles to success were far greater than mine. He was in a wheelchair, but he could run circles around me professionally.

He took on being board president, chamber president, all while building a successful business. I would be racing from event to event, often showing up late or ill-prepared, only to find Byron already there ready to go.

He would get into work before me, and often be at work after me (I know as I often would drive by his office to work.). When tired or frustrated with work, often I would think of Byron: “If he can do it, so can I,” or “What's my excuse?”

Byron had every excuse not to perform, and yet he outperformed most everyone. No one would fault him if he just relaxed and lived off the help of others. Instead, Byron was out doing more for others than most healthy people ever dream of.

Never once did I hear him complain about his lot, even when his condition was at its worst. His attitude helped keep me from feeling sorry for myself when things were not going as I hoped they would. He made me wonder about people who would not come to work or give it their all because they "did not feel like it" or had an excuse as lame as "my toe is sore."

I respected him because he was a true professional in his vision, approach, ethics and honesty. He was not driven by greed. He was fiercely competitive, but never was cutthroat. I always felt that I could trust Byron.

Whenever we had a disagreement about some real estate practice, it was respectful and we always resolved whatever it was we needed to deal with. He did many things to give back to the community with his time and energy, and one would suspect, with his pocketbook.

All in all, the passing of Byron is not a loss just to his family and friends. His death is a loss to both our local real estate community and to the community at large.

I will miss him very much; it won't be the same without him. May his life and struggle be an inspiration to all of us.

Phil Smoley lives in Lakeport.