I REFUSE TO WRITE AN OBITUARY FOR OUR FRIEND GREGG RAPP...

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Gregg’s life, his work, his friendships, the impact he has made on so many of us lives on.  We celebrate what he has meant to each of us.  We cherish his kindness.  We marvel at his science, his art, and his insights changing the way we think about menus in the hospitality industry and beyond.  Most of all, anyone who has met Gregg has felt his profound goodness.  I refuse to write Gregg’s obituary because all of what made Gregg special lives on.

 

If Harvard or Yale (or Duke or Cornell) offered a PhD in “FRIENDSHIP”, Gregg would be the head professor.  Not only was he generous to his friends, but he was also generous WITH his friends.  As a true super-connector, his vast number of friends has become a vast group of friendships.  There are no dividing lines between those of us who knew Gregg personally and the thousands of clients he called friends. We have all been lucky enough to know one of the best of us.  I refuse to write Gregg’s obituary because those friendships will always connect us all together.

 

As one of Gregg’s friends reading this who knew him well, we all have more stories that would have everyone rolling and laughing than would fit on this love letter to Gregg.  There is no doubt everyone has similar delightful stories to tell as well. Wouldn’t it be great to share those stories?  Please do.

 

If you were one of the thousands of people who worked with Gregg on menus or were fortunate enough to see him speak at conventions and venues around the world, you also have stories to tell about the impact he made on your company, your vision, or on you personally.  Those stories would be amazing for us all to know.

 

If you are one of those who were never fortunate enough to encounter Gregg Rapp and his menu work, you really need to go to his website, www.menuengineers.com to learn about his amazing journey as the LEADING EXPERT IN THE WORLD in his field. 

 

Gregg’s mother and father Jane and Gerald Rapp (from Dayton Ohio where Gregg was born in 1958)  are embracing him again. Gregg deeply loves his brother Jerry and his nieces and nephews.  Gregg’s life and legacy lives on, and although I refuse to write his obituary, his phone number has been disconnected and I will miss calling him every single day.  Trust me, he fought bravely without complaint.  His many many friends surrounded him with love. He will be missed. 

 

Send your stories to Tom Frank at tom@roundworldmanagement.com.  We will find a way to bring them to life for everyone.