Flashback: Examples to Emulate

When I was a kid, I’d visit Dick and Alta Egbert (they lived across the road from Lindy’s and were sweet second Grandparents). My Dad’s best friend growing up, Brad was their grandson so naturally we were family by extension. Dick and Alta were sweethearts, not just some old married couple. Dick was a sheepherder and a Senator. Yes, he was both and yet when people asked him what he did he would always say a sheepherder. It is just one perfect example of the humility of Dick Egbert. As long as I can remember Dick and Alta sat in the same church pew every Sunday, middle section, second row, right side. Dick never missed bearing his testimony of the Savior in a fast and testimony meeting. He also ALWAYS carried cinnamon hearts in his pockets. Dick would always have me sing to him when I’d visit, and then he would sing to me. He always said he loved my voice and oh how I loved his, especially when he’d sing “How Great Thou Art”, probably because you could hear in his voice he knew those words were true. When Alta started to get really sick I would go and sit with her during the afternoons, even when she’d forget other things she always remembered me. They finally moved into an assisted living center in Rexburg and gradually aged but never did their love for one another waver nor their testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dick and Alta out lived all of their six children but remained steadfast in being happy and living their lives to the fullest. They both were amazing people, the ideal of how to grow old.
My Dad spoke at Dick’s funeral and told a story about my great Grandma Eleanor Berry that every time I hear it I am always touched with the lesson that Dick taught that day. William and Eleanor Berry hadn’t always been active members of the church but Dick was serving as Bishop of the Tetonia ward and they became active and Dick called Eleanor to be the RS president. While attending a stake meeting a sister made a comment to Dick regarding her shock of hearing that Eleanor Berry was the RS President: “My only memory of Eleanor Berry is a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other”. Dick’s short but profound response: “Well sister, your memory is too long”. From the standpoint of instruments of the Lord I have to be thankful for Dick Egbert is right up at the top. If it weren’t for an inspired Bishop inviting William and Eleanor back to church and losing his memory of past habits who knows where I’d be today. The Lord has divine forethought to bless many generations! I am sure that when Dick returned to our Heavenly Father he was met by Alta and their children and that the Lord said: Well done, thou good and faithful servant. What examples to emulate.