Celebration Of Life 2019-2020

Over these months the obituaries arrived one by one, and I was honored to be entrusted with them.  I felt as though I was sitting across from them having a conversation with each one, listening to their personal story,  and each indeed had a story to tell; we all do, and we need to not wait to listen and share our stories as we journey through life together.  It doesn’t matter if we are 16 or married for 69 years, or ran a variety store or served as a liaison between NATO and the Soviet Union, we have stories to tell and listen to.  Often we read obituaries and come away saying: If only I had known… I wish we had … I’m sorry.
 

Whenever we participate like this together we are reminded of our own mortality and the mortality of those precious to us.  Our obituary is our final opportunity to tell our story.  A year ago a number of you came and said I need to write my own.  I could invite you to raise your hand if you have done that.  Today may be a good day to begin. 
 

Our Rotary theme for the past year has been Rotary Connects the World; the pandemic has connected us as well.  The entire world, all of us, finds us connected to one another and the more we realize tat, the closer we can become. 
 

Over the past 14 months, we know of 21 Rotarian of our District who have died.  The average age was 77 years and there were 11 over the age of 80.  The average age would have been higher if not for Rotarian Cordelia Sue Sloan, a member of McGregor Interact Club and only 16.  An Interactor is a Rotarian and we share deep grief with her family, her club, and the community of McGregor.  Our hearts were thee and we especially remember this talented young woman to day.
 

I was the spouse of a Rotarian for eight years before I joined Rotary.  I know very well that spouses of Rotarians don’t just stay home to garden and read.  They are also in the business of serving.  We often don’t bother to thank the spouses and families who give so much to Rotary.  Today I want us to remember Marla Tobler, wife of Past District Governor Hanspeter Tobler.  I have seen our district governors race from one end of the district to the other and beyond and want to salute her and give thanks to her and all the Rotarian spouses who support and participate in the life of Rotary.
 

The Rotarians we celebrate today are people of faith: Christian, Bible Churches, Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Baptist and Catholic and most have served in multiple leadership positions in their congregations and in higher levels of serve to tier various denominations.
 

If they offered their Rotary classification talks we would know their professions as  land men, accountants, interior designers, management executives, owned a variety store, grocer, financial management, cattle operator, banker, teachers, coaches, insurance agents, day care operator, state government positions, pianist, real estate, international trade and finance, car sales, entrepreneur, cheerleader, student athlete and Miss McGregor.
 

They have served in various branches of the military and together have flown the following: PT-19, T-33, F-4, B-52, B-58, KC-135, T-29, P-84-F, F-100-C, F-100-D, F-4E, F-15.  One was shot down twice over Vietnam, one flew 6000 mile and was refueled 8 times, 4 at night; one flew 178 missions over Vietnam.
 

They were educated at Baylor, Sam Houston State, Southwest Texas State, Syracuse, Auburn, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Houston, University of Pittsburg, Willamette University and the University of Texas.  I went through the obituaries for at least the fourth time and sorry, no graduates of Texas A&M; 8 went to the University of Texas.
 

And Rotarians know what brings joy to their lives: gardening, car racing, golfing, sailboat races, hiking, hunting, conservationists, traveling, fly fishing, ranching, guitar, target shooting, reading, sail boating, watching cows, playing bridge and Farkle.  And number one was enjoying and loving grandchildren.
 

Our Rotarians have served as past Club Presidents, and board members, District Governor, RI Director, Foundation Chair, women became club leaders, District Roll of Fame, Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors, chair of the 1980 RI Convention, National Coordinator of Polio Plus, 44 years perfect attendance, and May 30, 2014 was proclaimed Charlie Harrison Day in Austin.
 

It is interesting that Rotarians are not only active in Rotary.  Here are some mentioned in their obituaries: 4H, FFA, Meals on Wheels, Women Symphony League, Jaycees, Main Street Board, United Way, Austin Civic Chorus, Public Library, Headliners, Historical Association, LMFA, Water Control Board, Chamber of Commerce, Austin Symphony, Seminary of the Southwest, Westcave Preserve, City Council, the Thinkery, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Yacht Club, knights of Columbus, Red Cross, Stephen Ministries, Boy Scouts, March of Dimes, Homeless Shelter, Appraisal District, School Trustees, Mayor, City Planning, American Legion Auxiliary.  And they invited donations to their churches, Austin Pets Alive, Mobile Loaves and fishes, Drive A Senior, Shriner Hospital for Children, Wounded Warrior and the Rotary Foundation.  Have you added Rotary to your will or obituary?

Our Rotarians have left us words to live by:  “No complaining; just get it done.”  “Never met a stranger; always ready to help others.”  “Optimistic spirit and a smile.”  “ I’m a member of all civic, church, professional and education boards but I belong to the Lord.”  “May the wind be always at your back.  May the sun shine warm on your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”  “Service above self.”
 

These men, women and teen have witnessed to each of us of a life of service and not simply through their Rotary clubs but as Rotarians in the world.  May our hearts today be touched by their compassion for family and others, their honesty and truthfulness, their fairness and their constant looking for open doors for service.  May we be inspired by them to live faithfully.