Sneeze guards are at half mast around the country, as lovers of chilled iceberg lettuce, tasteless tomatoes, imitation bacon bits and creamy ranch dressing mourn the passing of Norman Brinker, 78, inventor of the salad bar.

              Brinker, who also created the Steak and Ale franchise, followed later by the highly successful Chili’s, succumbed to pneumonia on Monday while vacationing with his fourth wife, Toni, in Colorado Springs. 

           Perhaps I’m being overly nostalgic here, but it feels to me like the end of an era.

                                           Sunset and evening star

                                           And one clear call for me!

                                           And may there be no moaning of the bar,

                                           When I put out to sea,

                                           But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

                                           To full for sound and foam,

                                          When that which drew from out the boundless deep

                                           Turns again home

                                           Twilight and evening bell

                                            And after that the dark!

                                            And may there be no sadness or farewell

                                            When I embark;

                                            For tho from out are bourne our Time and Place

                                            The flood may bear me far,

                                            I hope to see my Pilot face to face

                                            When I have crossed the bar.