Remembering Vern

Vern Nelson, 1943

Last Sunday I attended a memorial service for my former father-in-law, Vern Nelson, who passed away April 1.  There was an overflow crowd of over 100 people and it was a fine celebration for a very fine man.  Vern was more like a father to me than any of the fathers I ever had.  He taught me more about golf than anyone before or since, and when I started my consulting business in 1985, he was like a silent partner.  Except he wasn't always silent, and that was a good thing.  He was an excellent engineer at IBM for almost all of his career, after serving in the Navy in WWII.  He was a grand host, along with his late wife, Marjean, and had friends all over the world.  He could sing more songs than anybody I ever knew, and a few of them were a bit on the bawdy side.  And he loved to drink Manhattans and taught me to love them as well.  Then there were his roses and his yard.  Both were well kept and brightened many a soul for many years.  His daughters, Bonnie and Zoe, along with son-in-law Neil, hosted a keg party in Vern's apartment after the service, which was at Vern's request.  Neil led us in a toast to Vern, and I could almost see him smiling and hear his hearty laugh.  He was one of the best men I ever knew and I'm glad to have known him. 

Of course the good thing about these kind of happenings is people gathering.  I saw my friends Alan and Nan and even Diana Whitney, all sweat lodge buddies from over the years.  It was good to see Bonnie, Neil and Zoe, as we had many good times with Vern.  And I got to see both of my children in the same place at the same time!  Now that's rare because it's so hard to do as time moves along.  I was proud and pleased that they both attended, as they held Vern in very high regard, too.  And they both love Zoe.

My daughter Barbara and son Derick

Since this blog is about my travels, I need to say a few words about the ride down and back on the Burgman.  Yep, you heard me right.  It was the longest ride I've taken, about 550 miles round trip.  I checked the weather coming and going, but not closely enough.  It was near 70 when I left here Saturday morning and within 2 hours, the temperature dropped 19 degrees!  I had on my heavy jacket, scarf, rain suit and gloves and still froze my kabooty off!  I stayed at Derick's over the weekend and soon after I arrived I was in a hot shower.  Shortly after that I was sipping a bloody Mary and finally got warm.  The next morning we saw pictures of baseball sized hail that had fallen near my route.  Now that would have ruined my whole day!
   On the way back I did a little better, but not much.  The radar looked good at 1:30 when I checked, but I didn't leave until 3:00 after a dental appointment.  About 2 hours into the ride the air cooled quickly and the sky got dark, so I pulled under a bridge and put on my rain suit and new, waterproof gloves.  By the time I pulled back onto the road, the rain had begun along with a pretty stiff breeze.  I lasted for a little over a half hour before I decided to call it quits and get a motel room since I had about 2 1/2 hours left.  I stayed near a favorite restaurant, the Village Tavern, in Winston Salem.  The food was great and so was the Red Oak beer.  And I had a Manhattan for dessert and toasted Vern one more time.  Even with the room,  I still spent less than I would have for gas in the truck.  Gas for the scooter round trip: $38.
   The thunder beings had to show me, just one more time, who's really in charge.  The rain was good and helped wash away my tears, and there were more than a few last weekend.  Yet it was good to celebrate the life of a good man.  Bon voyage, Vern!  See ya later!