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Doug Kass

Good Night Sweet Todd - A letter to you before you go "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet I could not sleep last night as a dear friend of mine was on my mind. Toddy isn't a nobleman or a famous strategist (like Byron Wien). LINK TO MY TRIBUTE OF BYRON He is one of the kindest people I have ever known and this morning he lies, taking some of his last breaths. I met Toddy through his brother (who I affectionately have written about, calling him (in my Diary) Barron Von Broker). Todd and Mike (and Ronnie) lead a Morgan Stanley private wealth group in Palm Beach. Toddy and the team were very supportive of me. From the beginning they have been subscribers. When my book came out they celebrated with a special book signing event and party at their brokerage office. I felt so confident about the team's investment expertiese that I sent over Chuck (Brown Bear) Zion's (LINK TO 9/11 annual tributes) parents (Jane and Rabbi Martin Zion) capital for them to manage. More important than that, Toddy treated the Zions as I did - like his own parents as he shuttled them to and for from errands, etc. When Rabbi Zion passed away, he (and his team) paid special attention to Jane Zion. Ultimately my personal fixed income funds when to the team - where Toddy was the bond market specialist. Last year, as Treasurer of my golf club, I sent over my club's excess cash for him to invest in fixed income securities. But Toddy's fixed income expertise was not his defining measure. He was simply the nicest and most charitable friend I ever had - an amazingly dutiful son, father and husband. Despite cancer ravaging his body and having his leg amputated, Toddy's attitude over the last year has been, not surprisingly, upbeat. His smile has been never-ending and infectious. Only 1 1/2 months ago he was advising me about rolling over our Club's treasuries. As always, he was full of humor and optimism. Toddy will leave his remarkably strong and caring wife Debbie (who came from my home town on Long Island) and his two daughters with a legacy few men will leave. As we wait for the inevitable our hearts are broken. My tears this afternoon are the silent language of the grief of losing someone so special. In truth my sorrow this afternoon is my weeping for a relationship that has been a delight. May his memory be a blessing. "Who is wise? One who learns from every man ... Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations ... Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot ... Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows." - Ben Zoma, Ethics of the Fathers Good Night Sweet Todd - A letter to you before you go

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet

I could not sleep last night as a dear friend of mine was on my mind.

Toddy isn't a nobleman or a famous strategist (like Byron Wien). LINK TO MY TRIBUTE OF BYRON

He is one of the kindest people I have ever known and this morning he lies, taking some of his last breaths.

I met Toddy through his brother (who I affectionately have written about, calling him (in my Diary) Barron Von Broker). Todd and Mike (and Ronnie) lead a Morgan Stanley private wealth group in Palm Beach.

Toddy and the team were very supportive of me. From the beginning they have been subscribers. When my book came out they celebrated with a special book signing event and party at their brokerage office.

I felt so confident about the team's investment expertiese that I sent over Chuck (Brown Bear) Zion's (LINK TO 9/11 annual tributes) parents (Jane and Rabbi Martin Zion) capital for them to manage. More important than that, Toddy treated the Zions as I did - like his own parents as he shuttled them to and for from errands, etc. When Rabbi Zion passed away, he (and his team) paid special attention to Jane Zion.

Ultimately my personal fixed income funds when to the team - where Toddy was the bond market specialist. Last year, as Treasurer of my golf club, I sent over my club's excess cash for him to invest in fixed income securities.

But Toddy's fixed income expertise was not his defining measure. He was simply the nicest and most charitable friend I ever had - an amazingly dutiful son, father and husband.

Despite cancer ravaging his body and having his leg amputated, Toddy's attitude over the last year has been, not surprisingly, upbeat.

His smile has been never-ending and infectious.

Only 1 1/2 months ago he was advising me about rolling over our Club's treasuries. As always, he was full of humor and optimism.

Toddy will leave his remarkably strong and caring wife Debbie (who came from my home town on Long Island) and his two daughters with a legacy few men will leave.

As we wait for the inevitable our hearts are broken.

My tears this afternoon are the silent language of the grief of losing someone so special.

In truth my sorrow this afternoon is my weeping for a relationship that has been a delight.

May his memory be a blessing.

"Who is wise? One who learns from every man ... Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations ... Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot ... Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows."

- Ben Zoma, Ethics of the Fathers