A CELEBRATION OF LIFE WITH KEN HOOD
(Deceased September 30, 2014)
We take for granted that the Sun is a constant. We accept that it will rise in the morning and set in the evening at times that vary with the seasons. We always look forward to a beautiful day but accept that we may have clouds, storms, warmth and cold that ‘s not cyclic but follows influences that we have yet to thoroughly understand.
So it is when a new soul comes to Earth. We welcome that soul and our expectations are that it will be harbored within a body that will enjoy good health, character and live in peace with itself, firstly, and secondly with all living beings that encountered during its life here on Earth.
All that I have just said is what we accept as common place.
Like the seasons and their effect on how the day will be, it is so with people. That is why it is so interesting to be alive so that we can experience the differences in each other. Nobody is exactly the same as the other.
Marilyn and I noticed that difference in Ken and Elaine when they first came to build their bungalow at Grandview. There was this genuine aura that we soon became accustomed to and enjoy for all the time they lived across the street as our neighbors.
I had the good fortune to act as a Project Manager for Grandview and reported to Ken as President representing the Board of Directors.
I soon learned that Ken believed in the supreme dignity of mankind. Like the Sun which is always above the clouds, Ken knew that within every person there is goodness no matter how much it was disguised by negativity. No matter how much stress was imparted by a member directed at the organization or the directorship, Ken never reacted in a negative fashion but patiently dealt to dissipate the situation into the best possible solution.
Ken reminded me of my years in the Rotary Club where the universal ideals and mottoes go something like this:
• “We come to this world and rent a space. Let us check periodically if our rent is paid”
• “Service above self”
• “One profits most who serves best”
• “The 4 Way Test:
o Is it the Truth?
o Is it fair to all concerned?
o Will it build Goodwill and better Fellowships?
o Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
The above reasons are why I was a Rotarian for over continuous 35 years.
When I think of Ken Hood, I see all of those objectives that Rotary has was entirely the way he lived his life as a Christian. I say all this without any reservation, that if Ken had chosen, he would have made a model Rotarian.
Ken did not have to join Rotary because he already knew all that I had said and was an example in his community that will be a hard act to follow.
Ken knew he had a difficult challenge with Cancer and would soon start treatments. He was advised he must conserve his physical and mental strength to assist in recovery. After a brief discussion with him one day, he then excused himself as he had to go to Robson. Later in discussion, I asked him what he was doing n Robson and this was the exchange:
“there were some trenches at the church that needed backfilling that were left open far too long so I decided that I better do that now”
” were you not advised that is exactly what you must not do by your Doctor?”, I was surprised.
“Yes that is true”, he slowly responded “but I could not be settled knowing that that job was left undone”
There were times that some Coop members were very frustrated with the challenges that the Cooperative was facing and would speak out negatively. Ken would not hesitate to meet these people one on one and rationalize with them. He believed that everyone had a right to an opinion but needed to know the facts. This is the type of respect that Ken earned and never needed to command as President.
Ken never stopped his volunteering and at Grandview participated on the Strata Council, the Garden Club and attended most of the Committee Meetings as an ex-officio member.
At another time, my position as Project Manager was being challenged by a member because he was not satisfied with the way nature was reinstating itself over the right of way used by the Cooperative through his property and demanded action right away. It was difficult in a circumstances like this to organize a volunteer group of members to do raking and seeding. Ken just said to me, I will help you and there we were with rakes and shovels trying to pacify a member that had taken his complaint to an unreasonable level.
Then there was the lighter side of Ken as I noted him walking around at Grandview with a large back pack for days on end. So I asked him what was going on. He explained that every year his family gets together and goes out to nature in the rugged East Kootenays.
“I am just preparing my body for the hiking that we are going to do.” Then the truck would be loaded to the top of the racks and off they would go.
“I thought maybe you were going to a boot camps” I quipped.
“No, just love with my family” he smiled.
I chatted with Ken a few weeks ago and asked him how he was. His answer was very profound “I am still alive and in the hands of God.”
There was no complaint of pain nor his suffering but a calm resolve of acceptance of Gods Will..
If I have suggested to you that Ken was of an exceptional character and individualality than I have achieved my objective of expressing my deepest respect for my neighbor Ken Hood.
Elmer Verigin, October 11, 2014