Columnist Ruthe Deskin: An ode to a very good doctor

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, April 25, 2002 | 8:18 a.m.

In the "It couldn't happen to a nicer person" department, I was pleased to learn that Dr. Donald Romeo was honored by the city of Las Vegas, when several baseball fields were dedicated in his name.

"Doc" Romeo loves kids. He has been a role model and mentor to thousands of youngsters, including a dozen of his own.

As a physician, he was often known to make house calls, saying: "It's on my way home. I'll stop by."

In his role as medical advisor to the Nevada Athletic Commission, which he held for many years, he became known worldwide in boxing circles and served as ringside physician for major bouts in many countries.

As a friend, he is loyal and compassionate. His strong sense of family and strength of character helped him survive even the most difficult of times.

Friends, and there are many, enjoy Doc Romeo's delightful sense of humor and endearing charm.

One of a kind, Doc deserves all the honors and plaudits a grateful city would confer upon him.

In the '60s, young people were rebelling against what they called the establishment, which meant anyone over 30.

A common expression during those turbulent times was, "Stop the world, I want to get off."

Today there must be thousands of the Earth's inhabitants who would share that sentiment.

Our world is a place of misery for millions of innocents caught in battles between warring factions.

Add natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and volcanos and the world becomes a place of chaos.

How can one sit in the comfort of a pleasant room and watch favorite TV programs and not be thankful to be living in the United States?

And, in spite of all the pessimism and doom-saying, we seniors, who have lived through wars and disasters know that, "This, too shall pass."

By June organizers of a huge Las Vegas High School reunion hope to have rounded up graduates for a gala reunion dinner.

Planners are mostly from the class of 1949, but all graduates from the old Las Vegas High School are welcome.

It should be a festive affair, with many tall tales from the past being told. For more information call 871-0282.

Not in my backyard.

A recent column taking officials to task for removing Porta-Potties from areas where the homeless congregate brought a response from one reader who claims: "They are not unfortunate homeless, but vagrants ... Will you invite them to camp out on your street, give them a Porta-Potty; not be fearful, wary, distrustful of their chosen vagrancy life? I don't think so."

The writer is correct in his assumption that I wouldn't be happy looking out the window to see a Porta-Potty or homeless people wandering around; although I don't agree all homeless could be classified as vagrants. The question still remains: If not in my backyard, where?

We once called lawyers who courted victims of accidents "ambulance chasers." That connotation no longer applies, I guess, as so many reputable attorneys use the media to encourage anyone who has been in an accident, taken a dose of bad medicine or been injured in any way to contact the offices of so-and-so for assistance.

We seem to be living in a litigious world.