Hmm, was he a life long vegan?
Or was he someone who started with in the early stages of renal failure. The predialysis diet is extremely low protein with the best (and often only) sources being HBV like eggs. So lots of folks in with renal disease to keep from doing more damage, reduce their meat intake.
He had childhood diabetes, and yes it eventually killed his kidneys and his eyes. Also, his whole family is affected by cardiomyopia (sp?), a congenital congestive heart disease. He sufferred a ruptured aorta during a stent operation and died on the OR table.
He had a lot of medical strikes against him, and he just was a walking miracle to his family and friends. I Still miss the big fella. *Just D*mn*