Friday, July 17, 2020
I only met Chris Lowell once, as Sean Brandt and I enjoyed his interpretation of "Benjamin Franklin" in Las Vegas in late 2016, but he was delightful. Afterward, he greeted us with warmth and sincere interest, while remaining in character. He was totally comfortable with the fact that I'm in a wheelchair, and very kind. As a wheelchair user with Cerebral Palsy, books were my world as a child, and I've read several biographies of Franklin, different editions of the Autobiography, as well as transcripts of the Constitutional Convention. As a result, I was critically amazed by the way he made Ben come to life in a way that delighted all ages that day. Chris was a skilled performer, but he had a unique mastery of facts and historical context, which made him both enriching and entertaining. It would have been a delight to be his student. Sometime afterward, I became his Facebook friend. His opinions were varied, vibrant, and thought-provoking, and many of his posts showed his devotion to family. Even after the onset of illness, he was keenly interested in 2020 politics and current affairs. I offer my thoughts and prayers to his wife and extended family during this sad time. We are all at a loss, but we are all better for the beauty that Chris Lowell brought to our lives.
(719) 207-8855
