Publisher’s Note: All The Fallen Men
October/November 2025
Where do I begin…
The men that have fallen one by one around us—their numbers I won’t try to explain because the magnitude would overwhelm us all. If we could step back and list all the ‘greats’ we have lost in these past five years, it begins to feel profoundly lonely, like watching pillars crumble around us, leaving us to wonder how we’ll continue to hold up the sky.
One of those irreplaceable pillars was my incredible and illuminating father, Don Meidinger. He touched lives across all walks of life—dreamers and doers, young champions and seasoned veterans. The stories keep coming forward, each one revealing how he affected lives and how futures were forever altered because of his impact, his kindness, his unwavering generosity, and his deep well of wisdom.
I guess I didn’t realize that I wasn’t the only one he supported, inspired, and encouraged. His reach extended far beyond what I could see from my place as his daughter. He was a mentor to many, a friend to all, and a guiding light in this community we hold so dear.
I will tell you this: next to my mother, he was my biggest cheerleader. He was always in my corner, standing tall with that unmistakable confidence of his, telling me “Yes, you can!” when doubt crept in. His voice was steady, his belief unwavering, and his presence a constant source of strength.
When he passed away, I fell to my knees, and the first thing that came to my mind was heartbreaking in its simplicity: “How will I do this without him?” How will I be strong enough to lead? How will I know if I’m making the right decisions without his counsel? Who will I call when I’m lost in the dark—? I was scared and uncertain, like a compass spinning wildly without its true north.
It’s an interesting feeling to have—like the bottom fell out and you’re not sure when you’ll feel solid ground beneath you again. The world keeps moving, responsibilities keep calling, but there’s this hollow space where his presence used to be.
But here’s what I’ve learned: a lot of growth happens in the space that death creates. It took me time to search my heart and soul, and the best I could land on was this profound truth—he lives inside of me. I can hear his voice in quiet moments, I can see his gentle smile when I need encouragement, and I already know what he would say and what he would do in any given situation. I sense his guidance like a warm hand on my shoulder, and I’m tuned into his wisdom like a radio finding its frequency.
He was there for me, and more importantly, I was there to listen. I worked really hard on my relationship with him, and I was present, truly present. I was present in every moment we shared, I took time for my old man, and I asked him to show me everything. And because I listened with my whole heart, his teachings became part of my foundation.
As we hold space for the profound silence left by the loss of so many great men, we choose to remember them with intention, celebrate them with purpose, and carry their spirit forward in everything we do. We hear their voices in the values they instilled in us, we feel their strength in
our determination to keep going, and we become living testimonies to their impact by teaching the next generation the precious stamps of wisdom they pressed upon our hearts.
Their love becomes our legacy. Their strength becomes our foundation. Their memory becomes our motivation to embody all the good they planted within us and nurture it like the most sacred trust.
As we move forward, I’m honored to be in a position to celebrate one of the ‘greats’ who is still with us on this beautiful earth—Gary Gist. When I first stepped into my role as publisher at Ropers Sports News, I inherited a treasure trove of historical papers spanning 57 remarkable years. In this archive, I’ve been able to learn about some of the most amazing and talented athletes throughout the decades, and Gary truly stood out to me.
I knew immediately that he would be a great story because he has lived such a full, productive, honorable, and beautiful life. His journey embodies everything we cherish about our community; dedication, integrity, perseverance, and grace. What better way to celebrate and honor the generation that still leads us than by telling a story like Gary’s. In honoring him and his heritage, we also remember and pay tribute to the men who have left us behind to carry on their legacy.
My heart is heavy from so much loss, but I know with absolute certainty that the greatness they left behind lives within us. With the hand of God upon us, we will carry on with purpose and determination. We will teach our next generation THE WAY forward, and within them, the legacy lives on, stronger, deeper, and more meaningful than ever before.
In this season of remembrance and celebration, I’m reminded that we’re not just preserving stories; we’re honoring the souls who shaped them. We’re not just chronicling achievements; we’re celebrating the character behind them. And we’re not just documenting history; we’re ensuring that the values, wisdom, and love of these great men continue to guide and inspire generations to come.
Thank you for walking this journey with me, for understanding that sometimes our hearts need to speak as loudly as our pens, and for being part of a community that honors both the living and the departed with equal reverence.
With gratitude and love,
Dee Yates
In loving memory of Don Meidinger and all the great men whose shoulders we stand upon. In celebration of Gary Gist and all who continue to light the way forward.
