Goodbye

My grandpa passed away this week to join his bride (my grandma who passed away two years ago) in heaven.

While we are extremely sad and miss him in this life, we are also rejoicing that he is in paradise with Jesus in a new body and with a new heart.

Eugene W. Brock, served our country in World War II as a captain in the Air Force. He flew 35 missions as a navigator in a B52 bomber.

He was also an engineer and inventor. He held 14 patents in his name. He invented the Twilight Sentinel automatic car light system that is now the model for all cars. He also invented the first automatic dimming rear view mirror. And he worked on the team that invented the first key-less entry for automobiles.

But more than all of that, he was a husband, a father and a wonderful, wonderful grandfather, and great-grandfather.
I remember being a kid and helping him build a tree house for us with a zip-line and a rope swing and ladder. He took us wild berry picking every summer, and one time when I ran into a swarm of bees, he carried me all the way home like the hero he was.
He loved to garden and make things in his workshop, which had every tool you could imagine. He was creative, hardworking, devoted, and loyal.

He was also one of the most generous people I have ever known. There have been times in my life that were really rough financially, and he always came to our rescue. And I know that he did that for other people as well. I am convinced that he gave more than he ever kept.

He has always cared about how my family and I were doing and made it his business to help take care of us if it was needed. He loved being around my kids, his great-grand kids, and he was equally cherished by them.

Our loss of him will be felt here on earth and I can't wait to see him again in presence of God. I imagine him and Grandma there now, looking young and vibrant, feeling peace and joy and worshipping their Savior. It gives me great happiness and hope to think of them that way.