Roll – by Ian McCluskey
May 16th, 2010 at 8:33pm UTC by Mark
ROLL
Morgan Strub (1973-2010)
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”
–Jack Kerouac, On The Road
Tall and lanky, wearing blue jeans loose from wear, a white t-shirt, close-cropped hair and wire-rim glasses, Morgan looked like a cross between Jack Kerouac and a holy wayfaring monk. At least to me. He wasn’t religious, but he had that wildman energy that comes from the open West, the wisdom that comes from hard traveling, and the poetry that comes from beat coffeehouses, all mixed together. A romantic, gazing at stars above the Arizona desert; a realist, driven by details, staying up all night hunched over a computer, coding. He taught himself HTML, then PHP. “Ahh, PHP,” he said to me, a couple weeks before his death, “that’s possibility.” He had a deep voice—not a booming one, like most men with deep voices, but soft and soothing, like a campfire, when it turns inward to glowing coals.
At 16, Morgan took off from home. He hitchhiked from Phoenix and headed to New Mexico. It started from being a rebellious teen, Morgan explained, but eventually “The Road,” both the romantic idea of it and the brutal reality of it, had taken hold. The Road would call him back again, and again.
In the Summer of 2001, Morgan set out to make “a big, crazy circle” around the US, stopping to find work, visit friends and hang with homeless and other pedestrians. He arrived in New York City two days after 9-11. The next summer, age 29, Morgan hitched 2,500 miles from Austin to Portland. It was in the drizzly Portland winter that we met. I was also 29 and told him I’d been recently working at the local PBS station, but wanted to start a non-profit devoted to making documentaries and teaching others to tell their story. He listened to my excited ramblings, nodding, and punctuating the ideas with, “yeah,” and “exactly.” And then he told me his dream, to make a website that connected the rag-tag sub-culture of hitchhikers.
He said that any hitcher could go to a public library and get online, but that there was no central spot for them to connect. A place to leave a message, or get some advice, maybe post a story or some photos taken during a trip. He told me that he’d recently discovered a programming system called a “portal” which might allow him to accomplish this vision and that he’d launched a site the year before called “Digihitch.” [http://digihitch.com]
He said, since he was paying for server space already, he’d share a small corner of it, like a friend offers up a couch to crash. Over that spring, with the help of Morgan and a small group of volunteers, we launched a website for NW Documentary, filed for 501c3 status, and moved into the sixth-floor of the New Market Theater building. The loft office had once held a Dot-Com start-up. The place was torn up, gutted, wires ripped from walls. We spent weeks cleaning, vacuuming, and painting. Morgan, the tallest, perched on precarious wooden ladders. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk, I look up at the giant heating ducts, and remember Morgan, meticulously dabbing the paint, cutting a clean line around the trim.
As easily as Morgan had come into our lives, he left. “I gotta roll,” he said. Portland’s summer had been lovely, but the desert native just wasn’t up for another rainy winter. It would be two years later, in 2005, when I saw him again. I’d flown down to Tucson to the Center for Creative Photography for a new film I was making called, “Eloquent Nude.” Morgan had settled down in his hometown of Phoenix and met the love of his life, Kasha. He said he’d come join us in Tucson. Of course, he hitched.
He was up for doing anything to help, and I asked him to do some photocopying. He spent two entire days standing beside a Xerox machine, diligently copying, page by page, Charis Wilson’s Guggenheim Journal. In the evenings, we drove out to the edge of the city, to the desert, where I shot the orange Sonoran sunset and we drank luke-warm beers and talked about life. After my week in Arizona was done, I dropped Morgan off at a truckstop at the edge of town. “This is good,” he said, and climbed out of the rental car with his backpack. I watched him wander off along the wayside. Goodbyes are hard.
I’d started my next film project last summer when Morgan called. He’d been diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a cancer, he explained, that was more common in children, but rare in adults. Cancer is an unkind battle, but all the way to the end, Morgan lived with grace, dignity, and humor. He’d gotten a guinea pig that he named “Sweet pea” and he nicknamed his tumor “Buster.” I was able to spend a week with Morgan, at his bedside, recording some of his stories.
At the end of life, one looks for summation. All told, he’d logged over 30,000 miles hitchhiking throughout the United States and Canada. Digihitch had 18,000 members, who had posted some 2,400 stories, and engaged in more than 10,000 discussion threads. But there is no counter for the number of conversations, or campfires, and friendships struck along the road.
“Hitchhiking is a way to change things up in life, to meet new people, see amazing places and get creative in resolving issues that may arise,” he’d written on Digihitch.
“Morgan was all about gathering people together to share life,” said his sister, Melissa. “He welcomed all with their differences and facilitated a safe place to find some commonality.”
“Hitchhiking,” said Morgan, “teaches you that time is relative, and that where you go next often depends on where you’re coming from. Roll with things. Be open to the people, places and new experiences along the way. Don’t worry. Laugh, smile, sing. It will all work out, once you stop fighting yourself. Let the road roll in your soul.”
He loved that word. Roll. Roll with things. Roll.
Those are the last words on his online bio he wrote for himself on Digihitch. A fitting epitaph, my friend.
Ian McCluskey
NW Documentary
115 SW Ash St, 620
Portland, OR 97204
nwdocumentary.org
eloquentnude.org
April 15th, 2010 at 5:08pm MST by Melissa
For you who’ve met me by the road and travelled ‘long beside me. I ponder now and walk with you, in mind and kindred timing. So you’ve heard me talk awhile, beheld my eyes and hands. Will you soon remember me; a monument to stand. Listen on the winds, in rain a voice carries down throughout. Taken on a silent stream, we can only sing one route. Solitude will travel on to take me in its fold. Humble burden on my back we’ll meet again I’m told.
Morgan James StrÜb
September 25, 1973- March 28, 2010
Traveling in peace~ hitchin’
March 30th, 2010 at 6:40pm MST by Melissa
To my family of friends,
I lost my brother and close friend Sunday night.
Morgan James Strub- cherished and beloved husband to Kasha, loyal and devoted brother to 3, uncle to 6, son to 5, nephew to 2, cousin to 5 and friend to thousands- Traveling In Peace- hitchin’ to heaven.
September 25, 1973 – March 28, 2010.
Morgan was all about gathering people together to share life. He welcomed ALL with their differences and facilitated a safe place to find some commonality.
He wanted a CELEBRATION (not a “service”) to bring all of his people together. Come, this will serve as your time to visit with his family and friends to recognize and celebrate the impact he had on our lives.
~ Morgy-palooza~
Saturday, April 3, 2010
5:00 p.m.- midnight
@ Connolly’s
5120 Northern Ave
Glendale, AZ
********a note from my heart ******
These last ten months have been heart breaking and life changing. I am devistated by my loss of Morgan. I could have not have persevered through this without my God and your commitment to being there for me in thought, prayer and tangible support. I have felt God’s loving arms and seen his grace and mercy all along the way and I have been able to share that with Morgan and Kasha daily. Thank you 
.
My girls and I will be hosting a bake sale for Uncle Morgan at the event from 5:00-6:00ish. Help us get the party started.
There will be an outdoor (kid-friendly) fenced area where we will be selling baked goods and visiting with friends. This area will also host the raffle/ auction items. Inside is grill/bar and the musicians. Come and go as you can- stay and spend money as you like.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to contribute please visit any Bank of America branch. Contributions are being taken by Melissa Frederick for Morgan Strub account # 457018436837. All funds raised will go towards off-setting accrued medical bills, taking Digihitch.com- not for profit, and publishing Morgan’s personal life story and tremendous memoirs of his years hitchhiking across America.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we struggle through these days of mourning and grief. I miss Morgan- every minute….
MORGYPALOOZA!
March 15th, 2010 at 6:05pm MST by Mark
Morgan Strub has always been a catalyst for uniting people in ways that produce interactions greater than the sum of their parts. Morgan was an early pioneer in the concept of Web 2.0 and social media. Via the internet he has gathered families from across the globe to celebrate their common bonds. He has connected travelers to share inspiration and resources. Out of Morgan’s passion for getting off the beaten path to connect with people in unique and unconventional ways, DIGIHITCH.COM was born. The premier hitchhiking site on the web, it has received millions of hits from its nearly 18000 registered members plus countless other visitors who appreciate it as a hub for hitchhikers and a portal for adventurers of all kinds.
Beyond digihitch.com, Morgan has served many others from all walks of life as an effective and prolific webmaster. It could never be told how many lasting friendships have begun on his pages, or how many lives have been improved as a result of his creations.
Morgan Strub is a beloved husband, brother, son, uncle and friend who has been quietly battling a rare form of cancer for years but only recently diagnosed in June 2009. His strength and spirit has profoundly inspired all who have been there to support him in this fight.
MORGYPALOOZA is a gathering to celebrate and support Morgan Strub while enjoying a big rock show plus raffles, auctions, food and more! All money raised will contribute to offset Morgan’s incurred medical expenses, establish a fund to turn digihitch.com into a non-profit organization and also help publish Morgan’s personal life story and tremendous memoirs of his years of hitchhiking across America.
Start Time: Saturday, April 3, 2010 12:00 PM
End Time: Sunday, April 4, 2010 12:00 AM
Location: Connolly’s Bar & Grill
Street: 5120 Northern Ave
City/Town: Glendale, AZ
Live Music.
Raffle.
Auction.
Food.
Drinks.
Bake sale
So much more…
Wanna help?
We are looking to get the word out and build the crowd. We are prepared for a BIG gathering! Visit MORGYPALOOZA.INFO and send the event to your friends.
We are collecting raffle and auction items, we need security workers, and we still have room for more BANDS!
If you aren’t able to make it, but would like to contribute directly to the cause, we have set up an account at Bank of America. You can go into any branch and contribute to account # 457018436837 in care of Melissa Strub Frederick.
Daily Dose
March 12th, 2010 at 9:43pm MST by Melissa
My girls were on spring break this week, we packed adventure and fun into everyday. I was glad for the time alone with them to explore their new interests and just be out and about together. I am always amazed at the little people they already are. I love to watch their interactions with each-other, their developing problem solving skills, each has a unique personality and they are all so yummy sweet! Oh to just take it all in is living! I feel refreshed and encouraged.
While out and about we made it over to enjoy a daily dose of our Uncle Morgan. He has been sleeping a lot, but always managed to wake and spend some quality time with us. Morgan has a friend in town this week, Ian- from Portland. We were able to visit with him some too. He brought along a recorder and has been working with Morgan to collect some road stories- we got to sit in on one. The girls LOVE the stories about Uncle Morgan.
We had a family date night tonight and we all made it over to visit with them-
A daily dose of Morgan does everybody good! : )
Clients 2 Friends
March 12th, 2010 at 12:47am MST by Melissa
I spent the weekend in Austin with Mark. While there, I met two of Morgan’s previous clients that turned friends. Barbara Beery founder of www.batterupkids.comand Kenneth Jorns of www.kennethjornsassociates.com. Morgan was able to help both Barbara and Ken set up their sites, all the while building a friendship. We were able to share brunch, stories and some time to catch up on Morgan. What a pleasure to meet them. They have both been a part of Team Morgan and followed with us on this painful journey.
Barbara signed and sent my girls a set of her wonderful cookbooks along with a couple “Batter Up Kits” for some kitchen fun! : ). Morgan has always wanted to share them with my girls- so this was a special treat for all of us.
Family visit
February 26th, 2010 at 1:35pm MST by Melissa
Thank you to California family for making the visit to Phoenix.
open letter to Morgan
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:04pm MST by Melissa
Morgan,
I love to reminisce of our younger days. We share such good memories; I love to recount them will all of us in the room. The girls especially send my mind back to remember good days we shared as bleach blonde kids with dark tans running all over creation. Good, bad and ugly….they love to hear of our adventures from - 6809 W. Windsor Blvd. 602-846-3117, our childhood home with holes in the back yard and bunk-beds in the bedroom. I specifically remember the beds dressed with Star Wars sheets. I wanted to bring those memories back to your mind too. I thought a Star Wars sheet set it might be fun for both you and Kasha the Star Wars fan. : )
I wanted the sheets to be the vintage kind I remember, but it’s the new Star Wars of today; Star Wars “The Clone Wars.” It all worked out though, because I opened them up to find some of the words that I would describe you as printed all over the sheets- I wanted to expand on the words meanings so you can see how special these sheets really are. They now represent two meanings; nostalgic and admiration of your character! You are a picture of honor and valor to me!
Honor:
- - A good name or esteemed reputation. To know you is to love you- you are a genuine, deep man with a generous heart towards others. You are loyal, loving and believe in sharing vision for causes bigger than yourself. You have created a network of family and friends who love and respect you. You have changed our world! FOREVER!
- - Recognition: Visionary, Founder and Webmaster of DIGIHITCH.COM. You did it! You had the vision and dream and you made it happen! We will continue the cause and finish your goal- “Digihitch.com goes non-profit.”
- - Integrity: firm adherence to a code, especially moral. You have always had integrity; in life, friendships, business. You are true, loyal, and loving.
Valor:
- - Worth, worthiness, bravery.
- - Strength of mind, or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness. Personal bravery. You are a picture of brave to me- for the rest of my life I will reflect on all the way you have battled the pain and buster for so long- you’ve been so brave. You have endured so much- I admire you and I reflect on your courage when I encounter situations I think I can’t handle and you are a tangible, real picture of inspiration to me.
I love you Morgan! My profound respect is mingled with love, devotion and awe! I will be an advocate for you and your causes!
Love,
missy
