Michael Mentzer

I read that former bodybuilding champion Michael Mentzer died (June 14). It was a shock to me because Mentzer was my son’s Big Brother in the early ‘80s. He changed my son’s life. Andrew was a skinny boy without a lot of self-confidence. In his letter requesting a Big Brother, he mentioned wanting someone who was big and strong. The Big Brother organization thought the two were a perfect match. That was true.

One day, after a visit with Michael, my son walked him to the door to say goodbye. Michael gave him a big hug and said, “So long, big guy.” My son turned around and headed up the stairs, and as he did his chest grew in size. I’ll never forget what he said to me: “Did you hear? He called me ‘big guy.”’ The pride on Andrew’s face was the most beautiful thing I had witnessed in a long time, and it brought tears to my eyes.

Diane McBain

Los Angeles