Dan Ashley Ashley
Doug was my brother, and we shared a sense of adventure. Sometimes that adventure was big, sometimes it was simple, but I will remember the good times together.
He took me on my first flight on a plane, making something completely new feel exciting instead of intimidating. I was so nervous and I wanted to take all my toys, but he reminded me it wasn’t that long of a flight from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. I had the opportunity to see the DC-10 cockpit and back then the pilot gave you wings to pin on your shirt. He took me fishing at Silver Park, where we learned that adventure can also mean patience, while I also found time to skip stones across the water.
Doug had a way of sparking curiosity. He got me interested in scuba diving and sharks, helping me see the ocean as something to explore rather than fear. He bought me a subscription to skin diver magazine and I would day dream about traveling the world. Later in life I was able to cage dive with great white sharks in South Africa. He also shared his love of music with me, and we spent time listening to his albums together in the basement—proof that not every adventure requires leaving home. We also tome watched Ghostbusters, sharing laughter that stayed with me long after the movie ended.
Doug introduced me to coin and stamp collecting, teaching me that even small things can hold history and meaning if you take the time to look closely. And when I was in high school, he took me to the beach in Florida—no big plan, just a simple trip that became a lasting memory. I miss Doug and I’ll always love my big brother.