This is not a sailing update. It’s a tribute to my dear friend who passed away last week. As I cannot attend his funeral, I wanted to honor him in the best way I know — by writing.

A few times in life you meet a person you instantly know is different — someone truly special. And even more rarely, that feeling is mutual and blossoms into a deep friendship.

Suheil was that person for me, and I am deeply grateful I could call myself his friend. Sadly, he passed away last week.

I met Suheil when we lived in Hamburg. He and his family had just moved from the Middle East, and our daughters met in first grade — both the “strange” English speakers — and became instant best friends. It was inevitable that Suheil and I would meet soon after.

From the beginning we clicked. The sense of humor, the international mindset, the fascination with each other’s differences. Whenever our families got together, he and I would inevitably split off, talking business, world politics, history. Suheil was like a walking history encyclopedia, a political news quiz master, and a stand-up comedian all wrapped into one. He was full of stories and knowledge, and I learned something new during every encounter — usually delivered in a funny and captivating way.

He had a keen eye for the absurdities of our modern, shallow society. He was refreshingly different, never bothered by appearances, always just himself. His family, friendships, and faith were his center. Nothing else mattered much. I admired that deeply.

Suheil had a giant heart and was a true people-person. He could read people instantly and had a way of being open, authentic, and present with anyone he met. I’ve seen him strike up conversations with total strangers and, within minutes, be in a deep discussion about who-knows-what, as if they had known each other for years.

Sailing was a passion we shared. Suheil and his daughter made a point of visiting us on almost every one of our trips. They were frequent crew on Towanda, our first boat, and sailed with us all over Greece. Here is a blog post Suheil wrote about sailing with us ten years ago. Those weeks were pure highlights — so much warmth, laughter, and kindness. And he always found the best restaurants and ordered the most delicious dishes for all of us. Oh, such good times those were!

Despite the long distance between Hamburg and San Francisco, we stayed close — speaking regularly and visiting at least once a year. Seeing Suheil and his family more often was part of what drew me back to Germany. I had arrived just two months earlier when his diagnosis came. I still remember the phone call, know exactly where I was and what I was doing.

That Suheil was a very special human became even more evident in how he handled his illness. The grace and maturity with which he endured this test were incredible. Never a complaint, never a “why me.” Calm and accepting, he reached a peace with himself and what was to come faster than anyone around him. He set the example, and his family showed a resolve and strength that was truly inspiring.

The last time I saw Suheil was in October. He looked good and radiated calmness and inner peace. Although he couldn’t talk much anymore, you could see in his eyes that he was glad to see us. He sat with us for a long time, followed the conversation, and listened as we told him how our kids — whom he loved very much — were doing. I remember hugging him goodbye as if I would see him again in just a few weeks.

Suheil, my dear friend, rest in peace. I will miss you very much.

You were part of so many of our sailing adventures, and your spirit will be with me on this trip too. I’m aware of how fortunate I am to be out here, and I’ll sail on with gratitude — for the adventures we shared, and for the friendship we were lucky to find.