The following poignant letter written by our daughter and son-in-law about their son Zachary — grandson to Beverly and me — was recently published in the Elkhorn Independent in Wisconsin. Both Betsy and Rusty are 1977 graduates of Albert Lea High School. Rusty is the son of the late Russell and Rosemary Wulff.

“Remembering our son, warning others of the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

“Although he deserved it, we were unable to actually write an obituary. The shock, grief and overwhelming sadness were too great to allow us to put a pen to paper. A death notice was sent to another area paper from the mortuary, and the news spread through word of mouth and social media. Our son, Zachary Wulff, was gone. He died Oct. 12, 2009, two days before his 25th birthday.

“He had planned to celebrate his birthday in Minnesota with college friends, and later in Elkhorn with his family. Instead, he died of a drug overdose in Mankato at the home of a dear friend who was at work that day teaching kindergarten. It was an accident and it was due to the misuse of prescription drugs.

“It seemed like Zachary could do anything. He could fly a plane, drive a Zamboni and create marvelous music. He ran a marathon. He was a taxi driver in Hawaii and a bouncer at a local sports bar. He could carve a pumpkin like an artist. He shared his enthusiasm for life with all that he met and was planning to go to law school.

“Zach was a bright and shining light to the many people who knew and loved him. He was a son, a grandson, a brother, a cousin, a friend and sadly, an addict. He was confident that he could manage the medication that he took for chronic back pain. He was wrong. And like any addict, his judgment was impaired. His pain pills were not significantly different from heroin. We are not sure that any of us truly understood how dangerous this was.

“During red ribbon week at school as well as during every other week of the year, please remember that drugs can touch your life, too. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to others and get help if you need it. Parents, educate yourselves and your children. Kids, remember how much you are loved and don’t risk losing your life. Drug abuse is a serious epidemic in this country, even right here in Elkhorn. If this letter can prevent even one death, it was worth writing it.

“Betsy and Rusty Wulff

“Elkhorn, Wis.”

Mark Jones

Albert Lea