A perfect storm of circumstances took me from a short vacation in Chicago where an offspring was running the Chicago Marathon, to Greensboro, North Carolina, where a possible business view of the future was unfolding.As is my practice, I always get the local paper, and I always check out the obituaries. Chicago newspapers were wholly disappointing in a tabloid format. Gone was the broadsheet Chicago Tribune that I remember when I first was in Chicago with my mother in the 50s. They had the only newspaper I had seen to that point that had color, during the week, and on the front page!
The obituaries were obituaries. Informative to those who needed to know, but bland to the outsider.
Greensboro was another story. It was my first time in the region, and while a stay at an airport Marriott and a day of meetings at an office park gave me no sense of population and sightseeing, the newspaper provided. It was also the first time I was ever in a hotel room with the Gideon Bible AND The Book of Mormon. Phone books are gone, but these two remain.
The Greensboro News & Record treats obituaries like the Times did with its 'Portraits of Grief ' after 9/11. A Wednesday edition boasted two pages of thumbnail sketches, nearly every one with a picture. Some outtakes:
In keeping with his sense of adventure and romance, Mac often flew his training missions at a low level over her house, and they were married after the war on December 29, 1945...He served under Wing Commander, Col. Jimmy Stewart...His Scottish heritage allowed him to be tenacious at work and play and to maintain his great sense of humor, story telling ability and contagious laugh.
Erin Lynn Riggs, 26, died Friday, October 8, 2010 at Moses Cone Hospital...In her free time she was a competitive pool player. She will be remembered for her big smile and even bigger heart by her very large circle of friends.
Beatrice Joyce Martin Clapp, 96...went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday...She had ten children who loved her dearly. She was the center of their world. There was no one like momma.
On this date his faith was made sight with his Lord, Jesus Christ...He fought a long battle with acute leukemia and fought like the Marine he was and died as a Christian warrior that he is. He fought the good fight and finished his course and has entered the presence of his Lord. His desire is for others to join him.
Frederick "Fred" William Rorrer left his earthly home in the early morning hours of Monday October 11, 2010...Those left here on this earth to honor and cherish his memory include...
World without end. Amen.
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