Well, I’ve just taken an emotional punch that takes my breath away.

Word came out today that William Hughes “Buddy” Seewald has died in an auto accident. I don’t know the details, except that a good man — and someone I called a friend — has been taken from us.

I won’t linger too long over this post, except to say that Buddy was one of the smartest, most politically astute and decent men I’ve had the pleasure — and honor — of knowing.

We shared a lot of views over many years during my time as a daily journalist in Amarillo and his time as a contributor to our opinion pages. He could be biting in his critique of the prevailing attitude among most Panhandle residents. He was a distinctly progressive voice in a community dominated by conservative thinking. Buddy was fearless in his belief in liberal political causes.

I admired him as a political thinker and activist. Moreover, I always enjoyed our time together — usually over lunch — in which we would kick ideas around and occasionally share in some common political fellowship.

I had not seen much of Buddy in recent years. His myriad business interests kept him busy. I exited my career in daily journalism a year ago and have moved on to other pursuits.

But I will always cherish my memories of this larger-than-life soul. I’ll miss him terribly.