Posted by Jaime Theobald on March 1, 2012:

I'm sure many of you have had recent struggles in your lives. I ask that at this moment you go over and hug your family and friends, whoever is around you. You see, I have just lost my Love, and best friend. My husband, Dave Rameden, died on Sunday afternoon. Way too young, at only 55 years old. We had taken a long weekend to Las Vegas, and were hiking and zip lining in Black Canyon near Boulder City NV in the mountains overlooking Lake Meade. We had just completed the first zip line, and were getting ready for the second, when Dave said he felt light headed, and then collapsed. The zip line tour guides and other participants tried valiantly to save him, doing CPR and never giving up until the paramedics arrived. But it was too long a wait. Though the ambulance and even hospital helicopter (who did not have the expertise to land or hover on a mountain to pick us up) could be seen in the parking lot at the base of the mountain, they could not reach us. By the time the paramedics could get up the mountain trail to reach him, it was too late. While we waited for the Search and rescue skilled helicopter to finally reach us to take us down the mountain, I was able to sit beside Dave, stroking his head and holding his hand, overlooking that gorgeous view of Lake Meade and the mountains. I will grieve forever the loss of my love on that day...but the heroic efforts and the compassionate folks who tried to save him and then sat with me and helped me will be forever in my heart, as well. Hug your families, hug your friends. You never know at what moment they will be taken from you. I am still in shock, putting one foot in front of the other. But I cannot believe the wonderful family and friends I have here with me every minute who are helping me through this. And as I reflect on the last several years, our recent "pre-retirement" travels and adventures, and the personal growth we had experienced, I realize that it was all building to this one moment on that mountainside. So despite the fact that the life we were building together, the plans, the dreams, the hopes, have suddenly been interrupted, yanked from my grasp it seems, I will be forever grateful for the many years I had with Dave, the adventures we shared, and the love and help he gave me to grow and be a better person. He was and always will be my Rock and my strength. A Celebration of Life service for Dave will be held in Overland Park, Kansas, on Saturday March 10th, details to follow. Please pass this on to others who may want to know. Hugs to you and those you love, Jaime Theobald (also known as Big Foot)

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