- Mary Ann Noel (Mom): ‘Always do your best”. Now she is reinventing herself and being a great example.
- Jack Noel (Dad, RIP): Never said anything bad about anyone. Never heard him complain. Ever.
- Walt Disney (role model): Grew up watching him on TV, have worked for him the past 30+ years.
- Lori Noel Hoke (sister): A blessed soul and kindred spirit.
- Russ Smeyser (adopted Grandfather): A jolly good soul (Santa in disguise?), first person to say, “Wanna steer the car”.
- Brian Stambaugh (childhood best friend): We grew up together. Enough said.
- Jim Brown (NFL running back): Once the greatest NFL runner ever. Wanted to be like him.
- Cheryl Noel (best friend): Met in a job interview. The best is yet to come. Would be lost without her.
- Gary Warner (Jr High PE teacher): He inspired this 9th grader to go to college to be a PE Teacher.
- Led Zeppelin: Favorite R&R band of all time. Still.
- Randy Bowers (same-age cousin): He gifted Led Zeppelin IV as a Christmas present in 1971.
- John Smith (former 400m world record holder): He was the best in the world during the middle school years.
- Cort MacLean (wedding day best man): College best friend. Kindred spirit.
- Brian Devaney (college freshman buddies): Philadelphia city kid and the first college friend from summer orientation before freshman year.
- Keith Mitzel (public school class mate for 12 years): Best man for his wedding the week after we graduated HS.
- Edwin Moses (Olympic Gold medal 400m hurdler): Demonstrated mastery and dominance in unprecedented fashion. Legend in his own time.
- Steve Prefontaine (runner, Olympian: 4th in 1972 5k): Only athlete ever immortalized by Nike in bronze statue. A rebel.
- Abe Lincoln: Led a torn Nation to reconcile. Abolished slavery.
- Martin Luther King: His dream is alive and well.
- Bill Cosby: Good clean humor. Ridiculously funny.
- Richard Parks (Disney colleague): He ensured jungle jeff would become a member of a remarkable team. He also submitted nomination for Disney’s original lifetime achievement award (Partner’s In Excellence).
- JB Adams (Disney colleague): Heated (in a great way) discussions about what matters for the audience in the classroom.
- Steve Jobs: Visionary. Misfit. Kindred spirit.
- Ben Franklin: Renaissance man.
- Randy Senft (same age neighbor): Differently-abled mentally. Please forgive me (and all the others) for being the biggest jerks ever. You didn’t deserve a nano-second of the years we were unknowing idiots.
- Michael Eisner (21-year Disney CEO, 1984-2005): Thank you for turning Disney around.
- Frank Wells (10-year Disney COO until his tragic 1994 death in a heli-sky accident): Thank you for being Michael’s encourager and teacher.
- Loraine Smith (?) (Disney recruiter): Thank you for extending the Disney College program offer in 1981.
- Tom MacIntosh (builder): Thank you for building our very first starter home in 1985.
- Dave and Terri Rauh (builders): thank you for building our current home in 1992.
- Jennifer Noel (aunt): Thank you for showing what it takes to become, and remain, a lifelong artist.
- Margaret Zubek (mother-in-law): Thank you for helping your daughter and son-in-law launch their life together.
- Jesus: Thank you for changing the world.
- John Zubek (father-in-law): ditto with Margaret.
- Nora Erhart (pediatric Gastroenterologist): We have relied on your expertise and kindness for years.
- Cindy Hoback (school teacher): We feel privileged to have experienced three years of your passion.
- Dennis Frare (Disney Colleague): Nicknamed Dennis ‘Dr. Feelgood’ because he has a remarkable gift for lifting people up.
- Carol Burnette (comedian): Thank you for entertaining the Baby Boomer generation.
- Donna Flanagin (blogging friend): Thank you for being there from the very beginning in 2009, and being the first to make a habit of reading all five blogs daily.
- Bob Stewart (Internet friend): Thank you for being the first man to read all five blogs everyday. Your comments have been much needed fuel.
- Patty Hebert (blogging friend): Along with Donna and Bob, you are the most loyal and supportive of readers.
- Father William Ennis (Pastor): After 50 years as a Priest, your passion to be the hands and feet of Jesus is remarkable. Inspiring. Humbling.
- Lee Cockerell (retired EVP Disney Operations): The beauty in our friendship is that it was never contrived or forced. Disney lost one of it’s greatest operational leaders of all time.
- Judson Green (former Chairman Disney Attractions Worldwide): Your vision for Performance Excellence in 1993 changed Disney World. And jungle jeff.
- Neal McCord (first Disney Resorts manager 1985): Thank you for suggesting, in 1998, your friend in Professional Development Seminars call for an interview as a potential team member.
- Dr. Gary Borgman (Vet): Thank you for caring for our first two (canine) children.
- Mikki Maurer (neighbor since 1993 and Son’s God Mother): Thank you for being such a bright light in the world.
- Joan Royal (Floridian): Thank you for converting your cow pasture into a subdivision of 30 two-acre lots behind Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
- Mickey Mouse (boss): Thank you for being authentic.
- Bob Spina (Disney colleague): Thank you for being a freak. We had some of the best times (ever) teaching together at Disney.
- Rick Long (college Fraternity brother): You are a master at keeping foundational (college) relationships alive. Inspiring commitment.
- Diane and Charles Jacobs (Mom’s childhood friends): As great as Rick (#51) is, you make him look like an amateur. (No offense Rick – your time will come)
- Dr. Joel Weinberg (Family Physician since 1984): It has been a privilege to grow older with you. You have been a superb professional, and a growing friend.
- Everyone else not on this list (which only fits 55): If we’ve shaken hands or hugged, thank you for enriching life on this planet. You are the fabric of day to day living. The stuff memories are made from.
- The man in the mirror (which is all of us): You have come a long, long way. Best wishes as you prepare diligently for the third most magnificent day in your life.
Peace and blessings immeasurable to everyone, everywhere.
Note: Thank you to David Balentine for the list idea.
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