Pete’s dad, Dennis – the Wuebkers’ Top Gun – passed peacefully with his family at his side on January 22, 2011. Reunited with Joan, the love of his life.
Rest in peace, Grandpa, and we’ll see you up at the cabin.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
|
Share the love
|
Get free updates
|
Peter and Betsy Wuebker are location-independent professionals who share what they know about travel, simplicity and integrating work with life. 
Sad news, hope you’re all getting comfort from the good memories.
Mandy
Mandy Allen has an awesome blog post here: Don’t over commit
Dear Pete and Betsy .. I am sorry to hear the news .. but it sounds as though he’s gone back to his roots, his dearly beloved Joan. He’ll be watching over you now.. and having a good time ..
Tough and sad times … they seem to happen now more frequently .. thank you for letting us know and we can be at peace with you all too …. I love the poem and the words therein ..
Be Blessed – with love Hilary
Hilary has an awesome blog post here: Food- Food- Glorious food and memories and- and Part 1 !
Hi Hilary:
You are right about them happening more frequently. It has been a tough year.
My Dad’s sister passed last year and then 6 months later her husband our Uncle Doc. Then Mom and now Dad.
We have one left from that generation, my Aunt Mary who looked very good at Mom’s funeral. We hope and pray for her long life as she is a wonderful woman.
Thank you.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
His beloved Joan was the center of his universe! His family made up the rest of his universe. His fortunate friends were caught up in his gravitational pull and had the sense of being a part of his family and, therefore, also a part of his universe. We were so fortunate to have known Joan and Dennis, and to feel the welcome they always extended to us!
Bonnie and Peter
Hello Burkes:
It has been our pleasure to get to know you through Mom and Dad over these many years. They looked forward to seeing you each summer.
Your email responses to the “Dad Update” emails have been wonderful and your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.
True friends. Thank you.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
So sorry to hear this news. I just met Dennis and now he’s gone. I wish he hadn’t decided to leave, but we have no control over his decision, if it was his. Feeling sad for you and Pete, knowing you will miss him and hoping you’ll find comfort in the fond memories you have of him.
Dot has an awesome blog post here: Noble Winter
Thank you Dot.
Dad made the decision it was most clear and we were lucky to be there when he made it. Until the end he had his wits about him. He was ready. Everything remaining had been done and said.
We were very happy to have you visit over Thanksgiving.
Bless you.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
Betsy,I hurt for the two of you. Having lost my Dad 14 months ago, I know the anguish you all must feel.
My dad was a pilot too and when I read High Flight, I wept.
I was so proud of him.
Though it get’s less painful over time, you never get over the loss of a parent. I miss my Dad so much, every day.
How fortunate you all were to be with him when he crossed over. Now be watching for those dimes
Stephanie:
That poem has always made me think of Dad and I suspect others whose fathers were pilots felt the same way. It is very moving. I am glad you were touched.
During the last week or so, I would wake up each morning wondering if I would find a dime before I got to the hospital. They never came as Dad hung on until the family was together.
Hoping and looking for dimes, but he has visited my dreams and I have been joyful to see him in that nether world.
Thank you
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
So sorry for your loss! He sounds like such a special person.
Judy Vorfeld has an awesome blog post here: The state of Wikipedia
Thank you Judy.
He was a great many in many ways but the family legacy he has left is his greatest testimony.
His impact spans many generations.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
What a rough time this year for you guys! Many pages being turned. Wishing you peace and strength.
Lori Hoeck has an awesome blog post here: Self defense and emergency thinking skills
Thank you Lori.
Dad’s book continues with many pages still to be written through his children and grand children. All of which will benefit from the man he was.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
Hi Mandy:
There are many good memories thanks to Dad and his emphasis on family times. Including the extended family, too. His siblings shared his point of view and we are blessed to have a very close extended family with a great many cousins who feel like brothers and sisters.
Thank you for your thoughts.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
My wife and I are neighbors to Dennis and Joan on Stoney Pt. Rd. We were so saddened to hear that our loon watch captain, sign designer, mailbox repair man, and Save Lantern Bay proponent has passed away. The “hereafter” will benefit greatly with Dennis and Joan taking up causes. God Bless.
Nancy and I are saddened to hear of the loss of Dennis. My grandfather knew Dennis since I was a young child and were very good friends over the years. We got to know Dennis and Joan as part of the Save Lantern Bay effort, and came to appreciate the wonderful people they were. We will miss Dennis greatly but know now he is with his beloved wife – keeping an eye on all of us and Woman Lake…
I imagine that Dad is up there looking for projects to do and thinking that St Peter needs a nice deck outside the gates of heaven.
Thank you Mike and Bonnie
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
Betsy and Pete,
I can’t help but think how lucky Joan was to have such an admiring and devoted man at her side all these years….her Dennis.
Keith and I are thinking of you these days….transition and change are in your lives big time. We hope to share some time together with you soon.
Mary
Great to have good friends like you folks.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
All passings have a time of great sadness when we are letting go of the physical connections and then comes the celebration and stories of the life well lived, finally the sharing of the stories and passing on the gem of the person we knew and loved.
We recognize how fragile the connections are and how fragile our time on this earthly residence is and we are changed and let go -
Then we begin finding dimes….
My thoughts are with you and yours. Tell lots and lots of stories and feed those who are here….connect – prayer is good
Patricia has an awesome blog post here: WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY- Self-Control in an Age of Excess Daniel Akst
Thank you Patricia.
Each morning when I would get ready to go to the hospital I kept an eye out for dimes thinking last night might have been the night. It never was though. We were all together at the end.
Still no dimes which Dad thoroughly believed in as a dime finer himself. He always joked that he would leave quarters.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
Peter, I forgot to tell you Teri told me that when they left the restaurant Sunday night, the valet pulled up with the car and as Lisa was getting in, she looked down at her feet and there was a quarter. It was dated 1979, the year Lisa’s team with your dad as coach won that softball championship. Coinkydink? Perhaps not.
Betsy and Pete,
The poem up there is very nice. My condolences again, and I hope peace for you both is beginning to come. I am glad you have your faith that both of your parent are enjoying a wonderful pain free afterlife. Hugs to you both.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirations has an awesome blog post here: How to be a Gardener of your own Life
Thank you Wendi.
During some of his last days Dad insisted the he would briefly see Mom or his brother. I think perhaps he did as he drifted nearer the other “world”. No doubt they are together now.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
Hi Betsy and Pete .. what a lovely blog with comments .. I bet they’re sitting up enjoying the joys of Spring and being together .. watching us finding dimes, pennies or quarters .. it’s such a generous feeling with family and friends here .. Dennis and Joan sound wonderful – happy memories … I’m glad there’ll be a deck outside the pearly gates when my time comes .. hopefully it’ll have been much creosoted over many years before I arrive for my glass of champers on a beautiful sunlit wispy cloud!
Have a peaceful warm weekend with lots of happy memories together .. with love Hilary
Hilary has an awesome blog post here: Food – To More Good times and Fond Memories- with some history thrown in for good measure – Part 2
Thank you Hillary
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Cancer the Crab Astrology Embroidered Cap
Hi Pete and Betsy.
My condolences to you both. Warmest wishes for a peaceful transition for you all. Hugs.
Davina Haisell has an awesome blog post here: Bacon and eggs- and the serial comma
Such a lovely poem. Touching the face of God must surely be a good thing to do.
May he find peace, and you all comfort.
With love and condolences,
Jannie
xoxo
Jannie Funster has an awesome blog post here: February 8th Is Very Special Because…
So sorry for your loss.God bless him
Haley has an awesome blog post here: Handling Stress in an Easy Way