It's a funny thing how some people can make a profound impact on others. And it's funny what we remember when they're gone.
Dr. Bob was a gifted surgeon. Thankfully, I never had to meet him in that regard. I knew him from church. He was a lively man with a deep, booming voice. During illustrative skits, he was the first person asked to play the Voice of God. He had a beautiful wife, Marian, and two grown sons who I'd see around on occasion, but were usually off doing their own things. He and Marian would often open up their house for get-togethers. They had a pool with a diving board and a water slide. While the grown-ups were all talking and being boring, us kids would stampede to the pool and turn into wild hooligans.
I remember Dr. Bob's laugh. It was a loud chuckle that always started deep in his round belly. One could hear it between the shrieks of laughter from the pool, or just about anywhere in the church. I've heard that if he accidentally farted, he would laugh and say, "Praise God! My intestines are working as they should!" I think about that sometimes and it makes me smile.
What I remember the most about him is singing "How Great Thou Art." It was his favorite hymn. He always sang hymns and choruses joyfully, but when "How Great Thou Art" was up, he'd put down his hymnal and sing with unbridled passion. His deep voice would cut through the congregation, "Oh, Lord my God when I in awesome wonder..." This is the part where I cry every single time. I cannot hear or even think that music without hearing his voice swelling, projecting from his pew straight to Heaven. When other voices fade from my memory, I don't think his ever will.
He was one of the most joyful people I ever knew. He was praising and loving God as his body withered from chemotherapy, even though he had an intimate knowledge of what was going on inside of him - even though he was fully aware the cancer was terminal. He was looking forward to what would come next. I think that's why his life and death touched me deeply. I have never seen anyone give so much joy to God or share so much joy with everyone around him.
I'm not sure if, when I woke up this morning, I thought of him or "How Great Thou Art" first. The two have become intertwined in my mind. All I know is that I heard the faint echo of his voice singing in my memories and, shifting my head into the sunbeam across my bed, I cried a little. I'm never sure if my Dr. Bob tears are sad tears or happy tears. Maybe they are "I'm glad I knew you" tears. That seems right. I am glad I knew him. I hope in time I learn his joy.
(I found a short clip of him singing the beginning: LINK)
(And an excellent article about his mission work in Liberia: LINK)