Ronnie Noe was a friend of mine. I met him through Steve Hinrichs when Steve played in a band called Crosswind. It was back in the 80’s and they played what was then called Southern Rock. Lynard Skynard, 38 Special, that kind of music. Ronnie was handsome, a big teddy bear kind of guy with beautiful blue eyes and a smile that could light up a room.
Ronnie an I were not particularly close. No Christmas cards or birthday greetings but still I was very fond of him. When Steve and the band were playing gigs back in the day I would often drive for hours to go see them. One time they played in Wellsville, Kansas which is not far from where I live. Because they were really not paid much,(and because I love slumber parties) I offered to let them stay at my apartment on the Country Club Plaza to save money. They came up early to do some shopping in the big city for show clothes. It was a ball. We went to Bannister Mall and found both leather pants and spandex ones for the guys. A great deal of hilarity was involved I can assure you, but that was the fashion in rock and roll at the time. We had lunch in the food court where a transvestite made an appearance much to the amazement of some in the band. We’re talking bustier, blonde curly wig, stiletto heels - the whole package. Oh and the package on the transvestite was evident as well. Small town boys from Kansas had never seen such a thing. It was wonderfully funny to watch - talk about shock and awe.
Later that night after the band played we headed back to my apartment in the big blue school bus. I brought them back to town through the Plaza. I hadn’t really thought about it but it was late November just before Thanksgiving I guess, because the Plaza lights were in full display. All the buildings in the seven square block shopping district were outlined with Christmas lights. I’ll never forget how big Ronnie’s eyes got and his exclamations of delight.
I found out from my dear friend Steve a couple of months ago that Ronnie had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma. A couple of weeks ago they threw Ronnie and his family a benefit out at the Black Jack Hills Recreation Area just outside Manhattan,Kansas. I hadn’t seen Ronnie in several years. I was sitting in the hall there talking with Jada(Steve’s wife) and Steve when Ronnie walked up to talk with Steve. He didn’t recognize me at first but he finally came around and when he did realize who I was his face lit up with that smile I remembered. Ronnie’s smile was like that. He could make you think it was Christmas for him every time he saw you.
Ronnie may have passed away last weekend. But I will remember him and his smile all my life.
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