great uncle ryburn

New beginnings often start with new names. At a certain point our identities get so convoluted with our professions, histories, friends and family, that we just need to tear up the old road and start laying new track (am I mixing metaphors? Probably). For me, it seemed likewise appropriate to take on a new name as I began this writing adventure - something to mark the path that will surely wind in a totally diferent direction. It also seemed fitting that in the process of looking forward I should reach back and pay homage to a singular person who, through no fault of his own, found himself on a path altogether too short and onerous.

Ryburn is actually my middle name, a name I was given to honor my great uncle Ryburn. Great Uncle Ryburn (leftmost in the picture to the right) was born in 1915 and, while a child, contracted tuberculosis of the spine. Tuberculous spondylitis., or Pott Disease, is an infection of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs which causes the vertebrae to collapse in a process called caseous necrosis. The product of this ominous sounding condition is a hunched back, compressed spine, chronic pain, a susceptibility to infections and sometimes paraplegia.  I can only imagine how difficult Great Uncle Ryburn's life had been.

Notwithstanding his challenges, Great Uncle Ryburn was incredibly intelligent and accomplished. He did not allow his physical condition to stall his intellectual life. He was the star of his Latin and debate classes in high school and an officer in the school's honor society. He clearly did not let his obvious physical differences inhibit him from being his best and pursuing his interests. After high school he entered law school, eventually graduating at the top of his class (pictured below, in the middle). He would later become an attorney for the National Labor Relation's Board.

After World Word II, Ryburn and his older brother (my grandfather), who was also a labor lawyer, got together to form their own law firm: Hackler and Hackler (I still have the announcement card for their firm). Unfortunately, before the firm opened its doors, Ryburn contracted myocarditis, which spread from his heart to his kidneys. He died in a St. Louis hospital in 1946.

It could be argued that Great Uncle Ryburn's life was, to quote Hobbes, "nasty, brutish, and short." It could also be argued that he is a great example of overcoming adversity and living your best life. I think of him both ways; both are true. And I'm grateful that I've been given his name as my middle name - which I now push to the front to honor him, and all of those bear infirmities a tad larger than the average, as I stumble down the writing road.

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