Dad
July 9, 2015

That passing that comes to us all, which we always expect but for which we are never prepared has come to the Wuehrmanns.  Chris’ father - Bill - left the Earthly plane yesterday afternoon after a prolonged struggle with illness. 

In so many ways, Dad truly was larger than life.  As he navigated his journey, he delighted all in his wake.  His impish smile and corny quips combined with deep spirituality and compassion in his never-ending fascination and interest in all those around him.

Each of us is wonderfully unique and irreplaceable; however, everyone who ever came into contact with Dad will quickly attest that he was a most unforgettable character.  Whether he was officiating at a grandchild’s wedding as the lay minister (he was ordained in his mid-80s) or “swallowing” spoons to youngsters’ astonishment, whether he was thoroughly enjoying a philosophical discussion or charming a wait person, whether he was comforting a parent over the loss of a child (which he understood only too well) or giving his undivided attention to an individual whom he wanted to know better, his thoughts were about those around him. 

He was habitually fascinated with the various qualities and habits of each person who came into his realm.  One amusing example was when he watched as I put away laundry - he actually noticed the different ways people folded t-shirts - but on a deeper level, he would want to know what beliefs a person held and why, always without attempting to change a thing, although he could adeptly make judicious suggestions for solutions when he saw someone struggling.

A complex man - kind, charming, childlike, responsible, stubborn, principled, highly educated, loving and very funny.  Many other adjectives could be applied to him; I know that his ultimate aim was to make the world a better place and at that, he was immensely successful.