Thanks so much to everyone who came out yesterday to celebrate Dick's life. It was an amazing service and we appreciate all of the contributions from those who spoke, sang, and played. For those who couldn't make it (or those who could, but want to see it in writing), here is Bryan's speech from yesterday:
Those of you who heard me try to sing at my wedding know that I have practically zero chances of getting through this -- but I'm going to try. You'll have to forgive my lack of public speaking ability today, but I'm probably going to focus more on this paper than all of you.
Over the last week, I've struggled to come up with a single story or anecdote that describes who my dad was. I think that's because dad was so consistent and reliable -- more than anything, dad was always exactly what you needed him to be, exactly when you needed it. Whether it was for his family, his church, or his job, everyone could always count on my dad. In looking at the comments that so many of you left dad's blog and our Facebook pages -- we received more than 450 -- there were several common themes: "inspiration" - "unwavering faith" - "strong will" - "kind, gentle soul" - "loyal Texas Aggie" - "family man" - "kind and generous" - "strength of character." I don't know about you, but for me, that's a pretty good list to strive for.
If you were here at Faith Community last weekend, you heard Pastor Bridgman describe a hero as someone who does ordinary things in extraordinary circumstances. I think that perfectly describes how my dad has lived for the last few years, after being diagnosed with cancer. Through all the treatments and symptoms -- a truly extraordinary time in all of our lives -- he remained true to himself and carried on with the "ordinary" parts of his life.
For his fellow former students from Texas A&M, my dad was a loyal Aggie, marching in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, supporting the Aggie football team, and donating to the Former Students Association. My dad and I watched our final Aggie game together in his hospital room at Mercy Fairfield. I'm not sure how much he could see, but I know he heard me giving him score updates and I'm sure it lifted his spirits. When dad passed away, the Aggie Band was playing on the CD player, prompting the hospice chaplain to note that he was "marching into heaven." Dad was an Aggie to the end, and just this week A&M officially announced the Dick Clark Supply Chain Leadership and Character Scholarship -- which will reward a deserving Aggie student for at least the next 20 years.
For me, Dad was always the voice of reason. I could always count on him to weigh in on any problem -- big or small -- with good advice and kind words. He was always my first (and sometimes only) stop when I needed advice, new ideas or a sounding board.
For my son, Jackson, my dad was a calming influence. An energetic one-year-old, Jackson won't sit still for much of anything. But whenever he was with Grandpa, he was willing to cuddle up and listen to a story. In fact, it was just two weeks ago that my dad, weakened by his first stroke, pulled Jackson into his lap at West Chester Hospital and sang Jesus Love Me in halting speech. It hurts to know that Jackson will not remember Grandpa, but we will make sure that his memory lives on.
For my mom, Dad was her rock of stability for 35 years of marriage. My parents' marriage has provided a model of love, support and faithfulness for me and many others, and Leslie and I strive every day to follow in their footsteps.
But if there is any one thing that defined my dad, it was his skill as a planner. Anyone who knew my dad for more than a few minutes knows that he was extremely detail-oriented. In fact, I imagine the P&G folks in the crowd are surprised that they are currently taking part in an event involving Dick Clark that doesn't have a PowerPoint. So, in honor of my dad, I'd like to discuss his planning ability in three parts. First, he was the ultimate planner at work, recognized at P&G with the Magnus Award and identified by a popular trade publication as the "Father of Demand Planning." Second, he was a planner at home -- particularly when it came to travel. For example, when I was in college, Dad organized a seven-leg trip that took he and my mom to Texas, Missouri and back to Ohio to assist with multiple moves and attend a Mizzou football game. But the real feat was that in the middle of it all, Dad managed to work in a five-day European business trip, meeting back up with mom in St. Louis. It was classic planning by my dad -- a trip so complicated that only he could have pulled it off (in fact, in preparing for today, my mom and I struggled to remember exactly how it all happened). Third, he was a planner on what became his ultimate project -- his battle with cancer. Cancer was never part of the plan for the ultimate planner, but Dad never complained, never felt bad for himself -- although no one would have blamed him. He just approached his cancer treatment with the same logical, analytical approach that made him so successful in life. He took it day-by-day, one step after another, determined that he would do everything he could to fight this terrible disease. Although he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in August 2008, which later spread throughout his body and to his brain, he undertook an aggressive treatment plan that ravaged his body, but never touched his mind or spirit. For the last three years, he continued to work, continued to travel with my mom and friends, and got to meet his grandson.
We've all struggled to understand why this happened, but Dad knew as well as anyone that as much planning as he did here on Earth, God is the supreme planner. He was a man of quiet faith, never forcing his views on others but walking the walk everyday and living as an example to others. Dad was a member of this church for more than 25 years, serving at various times in the bell choir, the chancel choir, the Men of Faith, and various committees. But his role was more than that -- since his passing, many members of the church have commented that they will miss his friendly greetings, smiles, and hugs on Sunday mornings. He also took it upon himself to take on various tasks at the church that no one asked him to. For years, he changed out the panels in the pulpit as the seasons changed. He helped my mom set up handbell tables on weekend afternoons. He took great joy in greeting and welcoming new ministers. He often took time after service to speak with the musicians to congratulate them on a job well done and encourage them for the future. In short, he brought the same thing to Faith Community that he did in other avenues of his life -- he was a kind man of unwavering faith who served as an example to others and was always there when needed.
We'll all miss my dad for different reasons -- his passion, his wisdom, his calming influence, his faith in God, his love for his family. But we can take solace in the fact that his suffering is finally over and he has been healed by our heavenly father. The best way we can honor him is to let him serve as an inspiration to us and walk the walk each day like he did.
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The Clark Family
About Dick
This section provides background on how my cancer was discovered and a few key dates associated with the 2-year journey.
In mid-August 2008, I was taking a shower when I coughed up a small amount of blood. I would probably not have gone to the doctor for that alone, but I already had an appointment for allergy problems. I mentioned it to the doctor at the end of my exam. He thought it was probably nothing, but recommended that I go for a chest x-ray.
An HOUR after the x-ray, he called to say that there was a mass and I should schedule a CT scan immediately.
That led to a visit to the pulmonary doctor, who did a bronchoscopy and a PET scan. On Sept. 10th, he diagnosed me with "non-small cell" lung cancer. The tumor is somewhat larger than a golf ball.
For perspective, I have NEVER smoked. Only 15% of those with lung cancer are non-smokers, and less than half of those are men. Needless to say, I am in the minority in terms of people that get lung cancer. Never the less, it is very real and must be treated aggressively.
On Sept. 29th I had surgery to remove the upper right lobe of my lung, as well as three lymph nodes. The surgery took 2+ hours. I was in the hospital for four days.
On Wednesday October 1 we learned that the pathology report was not good. In addition to the cancer in the upper right lobe of my lung, there was also cancer in at least one lymph node. The pathology clarified that the cancer is adenocarcinoma. While lung cancer is normally associated with smoking, about 10% of the people with this particular type of cancer are non-smokers.
Following surgery, I had chemotherapy from Nov 2008 - Jan 2009, then radiation in Feb & Mar 2009. Scans from May 2009 - Feb 2010 were "clean" with no cancer. On June 2, 2010, an MRI showed a brain tumor. The older updates to this blog track the progress during recovery from surgery, as well as initial chemo and radiation treatments. The more recent entries provide updates on the 2010 brain tumor and treatments.
In mid-August 2008, I was taking a shower when I coughed up a small amount of blood. I would probably not have gone to the doctor for that alone, but I already had an appointment for allergy problems. I mentioned it to the doctor at the end of my exam. He thought it was probably nothing, but recommended that I go for a chest x-ray.
An HOUR after the x-ray, he called to say that there was a mass and I should schedule a CT scan immediately.
That led to a visit to the pulmonary doctor, who did a bronchoscopy and a PET scan. On Sept. 10th, he diagnosed me with "non-small cell" lung cancer. The tumor is somewhat larger than a golf ball.
For perspective, I have NEVER smoked. Only 15% of those with lung cancer are non-smokers, and less than half of those are men. Needless to say, I am in the minority in terms of people that get lung cancer. Never the less, it is very real and must be treated aggressively.
On Sept. 29th I had surgery to remove the upper right lobe of my lung, as well as three lymph nodes. The surgery took 2+ hours. I was in the hospital for four days.
On Wednesday October 1 we learned that the pathology report was not good. In addition to the cancer in the upper right lobe of my lung, there was also cancer in at least one lymph node. The pathology clarified that the cancer is adenocarcinoma. While lung cancer is normally associated with smoking, about 10% of the people with this particular type of cancer are non-smokers.
Following surgery, I had chemotherapy from Nov 2008 - Jan 2009, then radiation in Feb & Mar 2009. Scans from May 2009 - Feb 2010 were "clean" with no cancer. On June 2, 2010, an MRI showed a brain tumor. The older updates to this blog track the progress during recovery from surgery, as well as initial chemo and radiation treatments. The more recent entries provide updates on the 2010 brain tumor and treatments.
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1 comment:
Dearest Sharon, Bryan and Leslie,
Bill and I so wanted to be a part of this wonderful celebration of Dick's life... he was all you said in your speech, Bryan, but unfortunately... we were not able to share with all of you at this time... To be sure, the gathering was joyful as you remembered a great husband, father, grandfather and friend to many... I'm sure he was looking down with a coy smile on his face... enjoying the whole event with you. I look forward to a visit with you, Sharon, when we can spend some time remembering those good times back in Florissant, those dinners together, football games at Mizzou and visits that weren't nearly often enough. For those of us who weren't lucky enough to have family in town, we leaned on each other during those holidays and became like family to each other- such was the beauty of our friendship. Dick was truly an amazing man... and I'm sure you are comforted knowing that his earthly suffering has ended and he is celebrating the joys of heaven. God bless!
Cindy, Bill and family
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