My friend, Rod, who works in the jail always makes fun of me…during discussions I always want to find out about people; I always ask questions…I’m very curious about people…what makes them tick.  As an example, one day Rod was telling me about his mother’s sister…I asked what her name was – who she was married to and what was her maiden name…I’m curious…I want to make a connection…it has happened so many times that I find out that there are connections…I know somebody connected to them or something.  I don’t see why this is a problem unless people think I’m too nosey..I hope that is not the case…I don’t ask personal questions like their weight or sexual preference I simply want to know about people…. that leads me to the next paragraph.

This morning, Jenny sent me an obituary from the newspaper, it is the obituary of a neighbor at their previous house.  This sweet old guy was obviously an alzheimers patient.  When the kids were outside, they would take Marshall, the german shepherd, with them and many times the old guy would come out of the house and walk over to the fense and throw balls and sticks for Marshall…I always had a lump in my throat for him mainly because of the alzheimers but because there was something that made some type of connection with Marshall and throwing a stick….

Here is an excerpt from his obit:
In preparation for a commission in the U.S. Navy, Noel attended Central College in Pella and Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. After two years of naval service, he continued his education at Iowa State University and began a 38 year career with the Maytag Corporation in 1948 as a tool design engineer.

Noel was a generous and engaged man with a quick wit and smile. He was eager to help family and friends – and those who had not yet become his friend. Noel loved to visit and would often turn a short errand into a long conversation with an old or new friend. Noel attended First Assembly of God Church in Newton, where he taught Sunday school and was a leader of the Royal Rangers. Noel was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis, the Maytag Management Club, and taught Eagle Scouts. He was a Master Gardener and enjoyed many outdoor activities including hiking, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed traveling and often added to his collection of antique hand tools on trips with Lois. Noel was a committed tinkerer and was often in front of his workbench on a new woodworking or fix-it project.

He died the same year he would have celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.  Wouldn’t it have been great to know these things about Noel when he was alive.  I am going to continue asking questions because I really don’t need to know how great someone is after they are dead…I want to really know about them while they are alive.

I dedicate this weblog entry to the life of Noel Decker