real friend

[f-railsback]

I met Leif in 2008 right before the Olympics were held here in Beijing. He was hanging out with Warrenn, the Kiwi, at a bar called LaBamba in Beijing’s Wudaokou a place where he and I would often meet at over the next three years. I remember my friend Robson and I challenged Leif and Warrenn to a game of doubles on the then new pool table. In no time at all they easily beat us, but were not jerks about it. I had played pool a handful of times in the states before coming to Beijing but had never played anyone as good as Leif and Warrenn before. Most people who are good at something don't want to waste their time teaching a novice how it is done. Leif was not like most people. Leif was a natural teacher. I told him that I really enjoyed the game and from then on he was my mentor in both pool and in life.
For three years Warrenn, Leif, the occasional friend who would show up, and I would meet at a pool hall to shoot the shit, drink some beer, and play pool. For a few months Warrenn even had a pool table in his house and we would all go there. We all taught English in Beijing so we didn't have a lot of free time and needed these times around the pool table to kick back. As I said before, Leif was a natural teacher and if he had any advice on how to improve my pool shot, strategy, or anything else about life he would tell me. After a while I realized how smart Leif was. Though he was a genius he was such a humble person at the same time. I learned so much from Leif during the many times we were together. We both loved riding motorcycles and he would often talk nostalgically about his former Honda Nighthawk and his loyal Toyota pickup. If I drank too much he would always make sure that I got home safely. He really cared about his friends; I never had a friend who cared so much about me and would do anything to be there for me when I really needed a good friend. He gave me advice when I was in trouble or didn't know what to do. I could tell him anything and he didn't judge me like others sometimes do. He never made me feel stupid and the best conversations I've ever had were with him.
The night of his accident we were playing in a pool tournament together at LaoWais. I remember he was so happy that night. He was telling me about the wedding this summer and looked so happy when he told me that his whole family and best friends growing up were all coming to support him on he and Moon's big day. I lost in the second round of the tournament and had to go home to let my dog out. The last things I said to him were good bye and good luck. The last time I saw him he was concentrating on his pool shot as I walked out the door. When I called him the next morning to find out how he had done in the tournament, Moon picked up the phone and told me what happened.
Everyone who knew Leif would tell you he was an amazing person. It is a huge waste that this happened to him at such a young age, but while he was alive he lived his life to the fullest. Try to think about what he would have done the next time you are unsure about something and in this way you can’t go wrong. We are all really gonna miss him; my heart and prayers are with Moon and the rest of his family and friends.
-Fred

[Julian]

I have only met Leif in October 2010, when I was teaching English for one semester. We actually got together occasionally in 2011, meeting for dinner and a couple of beer. I especially remember going to the lunch buffet with him and other colleagues from the school sometime in January, when Leif and me stayed there for hours, after everybody else already left. We just continued talking about our homes, teaching English, politics, camping, food & beer etc... - pretty much everything that's interesting. He said that even though we have met only for a short time, it seems that we are brothers. I was touched and actually I felt the same way.
Moon told me what happened after I was calling Leif's cell to get in touch with him again. It was painful to see him at the hospital. I can't really jugde on the chances for a miracle to happen, but hope is the last to die. I wish everybody of Leif's associates and especially Moon and his family the strength to keep up and regain confidence for the future.