Have you recently lost a close audiophile buddy? What has it taught you?

I wish that I had an audiophile friend to lose. My closest friend used to be interested in high end audio many years ago, but lost interest for a variety of reasons. Now it's just me, and I have no one to talk to about gear or music. We still go to concerts together at least, but it would really be nice to have an audiophile friend that I could talk to and see in person now and then.

I lost my friend of 40 years. We would turn each other on to new music discoveries. We would evaluate equipment together. It has been great loss to me.

if there's an audiophile deity, than hopefully they rest and listen to good tunes

Lost a pal 20 years ago. He was an opinionated bastard, yet a patient guiding force when I was new to all this. An opera singer and smoker. No cares about the big house falling down around him as long as he had the music. Big room, tall ceilings. Casement windows flung open. Gear everywhere. Full of superlatives, and always trying new kit. Listened to all types of music but opera and small ensemble classical was where he was most at home. Taken too early. Should’ve quit the smokes. Forever pottering around tweaking with astonishing results, he taught me that a healthy skepticism was necessary in order to stay solvent.

Hi guys, open to new friends in the hobby to keep the legacy. 
If you are in the NYC area please email me.
Sorry about the lost each one of you had experienced.