I remember when I read in the professional press of the death of one of my college roommates, also in his 40's. As you say, it pulls you up short. Since then, a few more contemporaries have gone and I check the obituary column before the sits vacant now. So many who are still alive seem to have taken early retirement I sometimes think I'm the only one still working. It's always sad for the family when children go young.
RtS