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jaelieThu 9/13: On Thursday morning at 3am, my granddad passed away. He refused to do the therapy at the hospital, so they moved him home on Wednesday. A few hours later he slipped into a coma and started bleeding internally. I think he was just waiting to be home. My heart aches for Dottie (my step-grandmother). They were married for 23 years and she is so lost. I'm really, really glad I was able to see him on Sunday, even though he wasn't very coherent. I do think he knew it was me and Mom, though.
Fri 9/14: Friday I took the day off and did stuff with Matt to relax. We had dinner with Annie and Dave. It helped.
Sat 9/15: Saturday morning was Grandpa's funeral. Chris and Aaron (two of my four brothers) showed up at my place for a ride down. The church was FULL of people paying their respects and it was a beautiful service. I really intended to be strong and not cry, but there were several moments of sheer, heart-wrenching beauty. I couldn't make it through Grandpa's favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art. It was already one of my favorite hymns and already had the power to move me to tears, as it really catches the essence of how I feel about my Heavenly Father and His Son. Add that to the fact that Grandpa sang it to us this year at one of our family gatherings and I choked up and couldn't make it past the first verse.
At the grave site, an honor guard from the Air Force came. Grandpa was a World War II veteran. They played Taps, and folded the flag that was draping my granddad's coffin and presented it to Dottie. I had no idea that the small gesture by the military could be so meaningful.
Grandpa was laid to rest next to his first wife, my grandmother, Patricia.
He is survived by his wife Dottie, all nine of his children, four step-children, 33 grandkids, and 15 great grandkids (so far). He left an impressive legacy of service to his community and church, of inventions and creativity, of stubbornness and conviction to do what is right, and of love for his family. The world has lost one of its truly great thinkers and inventors.
I've lost my last grandparent.
It is hard to describe how I feel. Death isn't always a tragedy. I know I'll see him again one day. I will miss him terribly, but he would not have wanted to live as he had that last month. He wanted to be active and useful his whole life, and he was incredibly bored and frustrated trapped there in the hospital. Death was a release for him, but he will be sorely missed.
After the funeral, we had lunch with the whole family, all sixty plus of us. People from Grandpa's church took us in and fed us. It really is touching how that small act of service can mean so much and show how much love they had for my granddad.
After eating we took a family picture of us. All of us.
Sun 9/16: I went to church, then came home and relaxed.
Mon 9/17: And time marches on.
Eulogy by Brother Richard Reyes
Brother Reyes was my granddad's Home Teaching companion and High Priest Group Leader. This is the Eulogy he gave. He brought a written copy by my Uncle Jared's house. We're members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons), so when Brother Reyes talks about "the church," and other similar things, that's the reference.
*****
Good morning Brothers and Sisters. I am humbled yet grateful for this opportunity to speak to you this day. There is nothing more universal than death and nothing brighter with hope and faith than the assurance of eternal life made possible through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is with this spirit of brightness of hope and faith that I would like speak of Bob vB...
Children are so very important. Every man was once a little boy and every woman a little girl. They have moved in the direction in which they were pointed when they were very small. It is said, as a twig is bent so the tree is inclined. The time to mold the pattern of virtuous youth and faithful adults is childhood. And oh what a struggle it was for Bob’s mom!
As a young man, Bob was prone to accidents. He would fall out of trees, hit trees while hanging on to a zip line, and would manage to find new and creative ways of injuring himself. While at a quilting bee at the church, several ladies were talking about what their sons wanted to be when they grew up, one might have said a doctor, and other typical answers that most young boys dream of becoming. These ladies then approached Bob’s mom and asked what Bob was going to be when he grew up? Bob’s mom politely, yet jokingly replied, “I am not worried about what Bob’s going to be when he grows up, he’s not going to make it. He’s too accident prone.”
Bob did make it through his younger days but there were still challenges before him.
Bob briefly attended Texas A&M University, where the hazing in the corps was not acceptable in Bob’s eyes. Bob would find new ways to deal with the hazing in only a way that Bob could. One particular incident occurred when another young man in the corps who was large in stature (much larger than Bob) wanted to fight and wrapped a leather belt around his fist, with the buckle wrapped to the outside. Unfortunately for this man he left part of the leather belt dangling and Bob quickly took advantage of it. Before the guy knew it, he was on the floor and Bob had the upper hand.
After the incident, Bob was separated and isolated in his barracks. In response, Bob tied a line from the neighboring barracks screen to his screen where he would then pluck the screen at night and keep the other cadets up. When the other cadets would look out the window to see what was making the noise, they wouldn’t see anything because Bob had strategically placed the string. The university wanted to kick Bob out, but Bob’s simple reply was “I’ve paid my tuition and I’m staying. But I won’t be back next year.”
Bob later attended the University of Texas where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical and Civil Engineering. He later received a degree in Electrical Engineering, and Accounting and started an Aeronautical program.
He served in World War II in the 15th Weather Armory Division of the Army Air Corp. Since there was no room on the aircrafts for someone who was simply going to report weather conditions, Bob went through a “very special training.” Several boxes were thrown off the back end of the ship. The commanding officer pointed at two specific boxes for Bob to shoot at. Bob did this and was quickly told that he was qualified as a machine gunner. Now he could ride in the aircraft.
Bob shared an experience in which during a bombing raid, he looked down on a ship which they were about to bomb and regretfully thought to himself, “I am going to make a lot of women widows this day.” Shortly after his plane dropped the bomb, they were attacked by enemy fighters. Bullets from the attackers pierced the armor of his aircraft causing the need to make an emergency landing. They didn’t know if they would make it to safety but did. After inspecting the aircraft, the angles of the trajectory suggested that none of them should have survived enemy fire since they were in the path of the bullets. This occurrence strengthened his faith and testimony of the watchful care of the Lord. While attending a meeting in which they discussed the Gospel, Bob distinctly heard the still small voice say “That really is the way it is.” This was the turning point in his life, when he received his testimony of the Gospel.
Bob’s wealth of knowledge and career choices led him to many challenging and interesting projects. Bob worked for Howard Hughes and Hughes Aircraft in California where he helped develop the X-15 instrument panel. He would later move on to LTV in Grand Prairie where he was part of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo program. He helped design the lunar landing module and the valves for the jet propulsion pack. This also created the opportunity for his children to meet the astronauts, who would one day walk on the moon.
His desire to create would lead him to developing his own inventions that were patented under his name. Though working with his mind and body were important to Bob, his main focus was on his family.
He knew that family was important and was inspired in ways in which to strengthen his family unit. Prior to the implementation of Family Home Evening, Bob had instituted Family Club, one night a week dedicated to spending time with his family. There was never time to be bored. Whether it was building a house or tearing it down, there was always something to do. Music also played a very important role in the family, and what a special treat it was when Bob would play his guitar and sing to his children.
These fond memories, as well as many other “family time” memories came through another one of Bob’s loves. And that was his love of traveling. He traveled over 40 states in the U.S, as well as traveling to Central America. Bob’s favorite quote was, “Never let schooling interfere with your education.” Because Bob felt so strongly about education, he was involved with the parent/teacher nights.
On one particular visit to the school, Bob was visiting the gym class where he overheard a parent complaining about rope climbing and its difficulties. Bob quickly grabbed the rope and using his hands only, climbed to the top of the rope, touched the beam and came back down. Bob’s reply was “It’s not that difficult.” On another occasion, a teacher stated that it was nearly impossible for a person to jump 24 inches vertically when starting in a standing position. So Bob stood up next to the teacher’s desk and with one leap was standing on top of the desk. Needless to say, this was the talk of the school the next day. (Bob was approximately 46 years old at this time.)
Bob stayed active throughout his years by playing church volleyball, softball, and participating in Father/Son canoe trips.
He was actively involved with the church. He served in various capacities. From Bishopric to home teacher, Bob was a friend and a mentor. He truly believed that “he was his brother’s keeper”.
The family motto was Mit Ernst Zum Ziel, meaning Earnestness To The Goal. And that is exactly how Bob treated every facet of his life. True earnestness, or which some might refer to as “just plain old stubbornness!” But it was stubbornness with a cause. A cause to stand up for what was right, just and true. For this reason Bob was actively involved in politics and in the community. He supported candidates that he believed in. He would openly speak at City Council meetings and encouraged others to be politically involved.
Being involved, that was what Bob wanted to be. Involved with his community, involved with his church, involved with his family. Bob was not one to sit and watch the world go by. His final days here on earth were spent with those he loved and doing those things that meant the most to him.
Though we may feel sadness with Bob’s passing, our focus should be on the great joy of eternal life and eternal family which is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For death is merely a stepping stone into eternal life. I leave this with you humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
*****
Fri 9/14: Friday I took the day off and did stuff with Matt to relax. We had dinner with Annie and Dave. It helped.
Sat 9/15: Saturday morning was Grandpa's funeral. Chris and Aaron (two of my four brothers) showed up at my place for a ride down. The church was FULL of people paying their respects and it was a beautiful service. I really intended to be strong and not cry, but there were several moments of sheer, heart-wrenching beauty. I couldn't make it through Grandpa's favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art. It was already one of my favorite hymns and already had the power to move me to tears, as it really catches the essence of how I feel about my Heavenly Father and His Son. Add that to the fact that Grandpa sang it to us this year at one of our family gatherings and I choked up and couldn't make it past the first verse.
At the grave site, an honor guard from the Air Force came. Grandpa was a World War II veteran. They played Taps, and folded the flag that was draping my granddad's coffin and presented it to Dottie. I had no idea that the small gesture by the military could be so meaningful.
Grandpa was laid to rest next to his first wife, my grandmother, Patricia.
He is survived by his wife Dottie, all nine of his children, four step-children, 33 grandkids, and 15 great grandkids (so far). He left an impressive legacy of service to his community and church, of inventions and creativity, of stubbornness and conviction to do what is right, and of love for his family. The world has lost one of its truly great thinkers and inventors.
I've lost my last grandparent.
It is hard to describe how I feel. Death isn't always a tragedy. I know I'll see him again one day. I will miss him terribly, but he would not have wanted to live as he had that last month. He wanted to be active and useful his whole life, and he was incredibly bored and frustrated trapped there in the hospital. Death was a release for him, but he will be sorely missed.
After the funeral, we had lunch with the whole family, all sixty plus of us. People from Grandpa's church took us in and fed us. It really is touching how that small act of service can mean so much and show how much love they had for my granddad.
After eating we took a family picture of us. All of us.
Sun 9/16: I went to church, then came home and relaxed.
Mon 9/17: And time marches on.
Eulogy by Brother Richard Reyes
Brother Reyes was my granddad's Home Teaching companion and High Priest Group Leader. This is the Eulogy he gave. He brought a written copy by my Uncle Jared's house. We're members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons), so when Brother Reyes talks about "the church," and other similar things, that's the reference.
*****
Good morning Brothers and Sisters. I am humbled yet grateful for this opportunity to speak to you this day. There is nothing more universal than death and nothing brighter with hope and faith than the assurance of eternal life made possible through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is with this spirit of brightness of hope and faith that I would like speak of Bob vB...
Children are so very important. Every man was once a little boy and every woman a little girl. They have moved in the direction in which they were pointed when they were very small. It is said, as a twig is bent so the tree is inclined. The time to mold the pattern of virtuous youth and faithful adults is childhood. And oh what a struggle it was for Bob’s mom!
As a young man, Bob was prone to accidents. He would fall out of trees, hit trees while hanging on to a zip line, and would manage to find new and creative ways of injuring himself. While at a quilting bee at the church, several ladies were talking about what their sons wanted to be when they grew up, one might have said a doctor, and other typical answers that most young boys dream of becoming. These ladies then approached Bob’s mom and asked what Bob was going to be when he grew up? Bob’s mom politely, yet jokingly replied, “I am not worried about what Bob’s going to be when he grows up, he’s not going to make it. He’s too accident prone.”
Bob did make it through his younger days but there were still challenges before him.
Bob briefly attended Texas A&M University, where the hazing in the corps was not acceptable in Bob’s eyes. Bob would find new ways to deal with the hazing in only a way that Bob could. One particular incident occurred when another young man in the corps who was large in stature (much larger than Bob) wanted to fight and wrapped a leather belt around his fist, with the buckle wrapped to the outside. Unfortunately for this man he left part of the leather belt dangling and Bob quickly took advantage of it. Before the guy knew it, he was on the floor and Bob had the upper hand.
After the incident, Bob was separated and isolated in his barracks. In response, Bob tied a line from the neighboring barracks screen to his screen where he would then pluck the screen at night and keep the other cadets up. When the other cadets would look out the window to see what was making the noise, they wouldn’t see anything because Bob had strategically placed the string. The university wanted to kick Bob out, but Bob’s simple reply was “I’ve paid my tuition and I’m staying. But I won’t be back next year.”
Bob later attended the University of Texas where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical and Civil Engineering. He later received a degree in Electrical Engineering, and Accounting and started an Aeronautical program.
He served in World War II in the 15th Weather Armory Division of the Army Air Corp. Since there was no room on the aircrafts for someone who was simply going to report weather conditions, Bob went through a “very special training.” Several boxes were thrown off the back end of the ship. The commanding officer pointed at two specific boxes for Bob to shoot at. Bob did this and was quickly told that he was qualified as a machine gunner. Now he could ride in the aircraft.
Bob shared an experience in which during a bombing raid, he looked down on a ship which they were about to bomb and regretfully thought to himself, “I am going to make a lot of women widows this day.” Shortly after his plane dropped the bomb, they were attacked by enemy fighters. Bullets from the attackers pierced the armor of his aircraft causing the need to make an emergency landing. They didn’t know if they would make it to safety but did. After inspecting the aircraft, the angles of the trajectory suggested that none of them should have survived enemy fire since they were in the path of the bullets. This occurrence strengthened his faith and testimony of the watchful care of the Lord. While attending a meeting in which they discussed the Gospel, Bob distinctly heard the still small voice say “That really is the way it is.” This was the turning point in his life, when he received his testimony of the Gospel.
Bob’s wealth of knowledge and career choices led him to many challenging and interesting projects. Bob worked for Howard Hughes and Hughes Aircraft in California where he helped develop the X-15 instrument panel. He would later move on to LTV in Grand Prairie where he was part of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo program. He helped design the lunar landing module and the valves for the jet propulsion pack. This also created the opportunity for his children to meet the astronauts, who would one day walk on the moon.
His desire to create would lead him to developing his own inventions that were patented under his name. Though working with his mind and body were important to Bob, his main focus was on his family.
He knew that family was important and was inspired in ways in which to strengthen his family unit. Prior to the implementation of Family Home Evening, Bob had instituted Family Club, one night a week dedicated to spending time with his family. There was never time to be bored. Whether it was building a house or tearing it down, there was always something to do. Music also played a very important role in the family, and what a special treat it was when Bob would play his guitar and sing to his children.
These fond memories, as well as many other “family time” memories came through another one of Bob’s loves. And that was his love of traveling. He traveled over 40 states in the U.S, as well as traveling to Central America. Bob’s favorite quote was, “Never let schooling interfere with your education.” Because Bob felt so strongly about education, he was involved with the parent/teacher nights.
On one particular visit to the school, Bob was visiting the gym class where he overheard a parent complaining about rope climbing and its difficulties. Bob quickly grabbed the rope and using his hands only, climbed to the top of the rope, touched the beam and came back down. Bob’s reply was “It’s not that difficult.” On another occasion, a teacher stated that it was nearly impossible for a person to jump 24 inches vertically when starting in a standing position. So Bob stood up next to the teacher’s desk and with one leap was standing on top of the desk. Needless to say, this was the talk of the school the next day. (Bob was approximately 46 years old at this time.)
Bob stayed active throughout his years by playing church volleyball, softball, and participating in Father/Son canoe trips.
He was actively involved with the church. He served in various capacities. From Bishopric to home teacher, Bob was a friend and a mentor. He truly believed that “he was his brother’s keeper”.
The family motto was Mit Ernst Zum Ziel, meaning Earnestness To The Goal. And that is exactly how Bob treated every facet of his life. True earnestness, or which some might refer to as “just plain old stubbornness!” But it was stubbornness with a cause. A cause to stand up for what was right, just and true. For this reason Bob was actively involved in politics and in the community. He supported candidates that he believed in. He would openly speak at City Council meetings and encouraged others to be politically involved.
Being involved, that was what Bob wanted to be. Involved with his community, involved with his church, involved with his family. Bob was not one to sit and watch the world go by. His final days here on earth were spent with those he loved and doing those things that meant the most to him.
Though we may feel sadness with Bob’s passing, our focus should be on the great joy of eternal life and eternal family which is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For death is merely a stepping stone into eternal life. I leave this with you humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
*****
