What kind of man spends his entire life serving others?  Being kind and generous, true and
loving?  What kind of man is hardworking,
resourceful, and an ahead-of-his-time thinker? 
Steadfast and persistent?  With
the patience of Job?  What kind of man
assigns himself the “on-call” work duties for every Thanksgiving and Christmas
so his team can be with their families?  What
kind of man exudes tirelessness, delightful humor, and vivid imagination to
fill his children’s lives with glee and exceptional experiences, while
encouraging them to strive to be their very best?  What kind of man is loyal to his high school
sweetheart and best friend for more than 70 years?  And near the end merely wishes for more time
together?  What kind of man walks the
walk as a superbly encouraging and supportive father, uncle, and
grandfather?  Active in his church and
community and neighborhood?  Both a great
listener and a terrific teacher, leading by example?

It’s the kind of man we all dream about as a partner,
father, friend or relative.  He
listens.  He is humble and humorous.  He is kind. 
He is strong.  It’s the very
special kind of man I have been privileged to call Poppy. 

My Dad, Robert Burnham, survived two previous cancers, only
to be diagnosed this past winter with pancreatic cancer.  His successful surgery this spring, inspired
great hope, but infections have been challenging, and he has endured 2 returns
to the hospital.  This past week was the
toughest.  All seemed well as he enjoyed
dinner in the dining room on Tuesday, but Wednesday, he was back to the
hospital.  Pneumonia had settled in his
lungs.  By Friday night at 9pm, they
moved my Poppy into hospice.  He passed
peacefully in his sleep Saturday afternoon at 1:30.  There’s one more angel in heaven.

That’s the kind of man my dear Poppy was.  An angel on earth.  His spirit will always live with all of us
who knew him.  Prayers please for my Mom,
for at age 88, though healthy physically, she has now lost the love of her
life. 

God speed, my dearest Poppy. 

Robert Bishop
Burnham, November 2, 1931 – October 6, 2018