1956 Central Reunion Newsletter
Volume 1 Number 4 August 2003
August 2003 Newsletter
During
the third week in June, a heart attack took from us a life long friend: Paul
Peterson. Its no surprise that death came while Paul was helping others
helping came as naturally as breathing to Paul. His admirable character was
formed early in his life. Those of us who knew Paul in boyhood cherish our
early memories of him; unvarying warmth and friendliness were deeply ingrained
in his personality even then two qualities that were to endure for a
lifetime.
When we saw Paul we would often recall the good times of the past. Why?
because he was like the best of the past. To those of us who grew up in the
50s, those years were notable for their civility, their gentleness, and
their optimism the very traits that Paul had in such abundance. No wonder
then that thoughts of Paul were often mingled with thoughts of the good old
times; Paul was like them.
| With rue my heart is laden |
By brooks
too broad for leaping |
| For golden friends I had, |
The lightfoot boys are laid; |
| For many a rose lipt maiden | The rose lipt girls are sleeping |
| And many a lightfoot lad, | In fields where roses fade. |
And supposing a new
Diogenes were suddenly to appear this time in search of a truly good man
our response to him would be: Youre too late, Diogenes. Give up your vain
search Paul is gone!
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Memorial
to a friend
What
a loss it is to lose a dear friend of 50 years. Paul Peterson was always an
upbeat, cordial and pleasant man to be with. A man completely without guile or
pretense, he was what he appeared to be, and what he appeared to be was genuine.
He always towered high above most of us, and we had to look up to see his ever
present grin. Don't think I can ever remember him not being happy, or not
enthusiastic about whatever was going on.
Paul was always doing for others, and most do not know of his involvement with
Rolling Hills Senior Center of Catoosa. Always a man willing to give of his
time, he was also part of the organization Helping Tulsa, and the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program.
He was truly dedicated to the work he was doing for the Tulsa Central Class of
1956 website which he designed, and maintained conscientiously. Not many people
outside of me know how much work he put into that site. He and I communicated
regularly on the site, as he continually worked to keep it current, pleasant to
see, and accurate.
I counted 71 emails from him just since the start of this year until mid June
when he died. That represents a lot of desire on his part to contribute to his
classmates. When I was talking to him on the telephone last month for almost an
hour, he was describing all the plans he had for continuing improvements to the
site.
One of the work items that he liked least was the continuing addition to the
deceased list. A telling communication as to being part of the living was a note
from him on May 8, not even two months ago, in which he said "I am thankful
for each day I get."
I miss him so much already, and will miss the steady communications with a man
with whom it was so very easy to work. I am proud to have known you so well
Paul.
Dick Rapier