Sunday, November 10, 2024
I first met Dr. Ploumis, his wife, and their daughter around 1986 at JFK, where I had gone to see off my girlfriend for her flight to Athens. Dr. Ploumis had a presence that reminded me of a New York law officer—something which he humorously mentioned about himself later. The family who was present made a wonderful impression on us, each striking the right chords in their own way. Dr. Ploumis kindly offered to drive me home, casually mentioning that they lived nearby, which I found to be a truly generous gesture.
A few years later, now married to that girlfriend, I found myself dealing with a legal issue involving a neighbor who happened to be an attorney. On one of our visits to his home, I mentioned the issue to him. He immediately reassured me with calm confidence, dismissing the problem as minor and offering specific advice on how to handle it. I followed his guidance, and, as it turned out, my previously adversarial neighbor became surprisingly cooperative.
I remember Dr. Ploumis sharing stories about his college years and his athletic past; his warmth and the engaging way he recounted them still resonate with me. In short, I want to express how deeply I admired him. I am truly saddened that we lost touch over the years, especially after moving to another state and then to Europe. Dr. Ploumis will always hold a special place in my heart as a kind-hearted and wise individual. My deepest condolences to his family.
