Allison lives in the upper suburbs of New York City, and flew back for the service with her family. She has a graduate degree, and is a speech pathologist. She is the mother of an industrious two year old boy named Luke, and keeps her husband in line as he commutes into the city on a daily basis.
She did an admirable job of delivering this, under difficult circumstances, as funerals always seem to be. I print it here, as many folks have found this blog while searching for news of Reverend LeRoy's passing.
Allison's Eulogy
Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. - Ephesians 4:1-2Allison summed up our family's feelings better than anyone could have, and for that we are thankful.
The purpose of life is to LIVE A LIFE OF PURPOSE.
For me, this is exactly what Grandpa did! He led a life of purpose! Rev Leroy Bauman knew it is not what you have, it is what you give! All we need is LOVE! And LOVE is what he gave! Selfless love. Giving love. Generous love. He shared his love for life, love for family, love for his wife, love for his children, love for community, love for his church, love for God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, the love for his many congregations, the love for his friends and neighbors. He did this UNCONDITIONALLY and at all hours of the day and night, whenever he was called to do so. He couldn't help it. He was made of it. His smile, the twinkle in his eye, his wink from across the room, it was in his chuckle. He simply radiated love, light and joy.
As a little girl, aged three or four, I remember sitting at my Grandpa's feet on the steps of the alter of his church at a Christmas service. I vividly recall looking up at him, listening to him speak and feeling SO PROUD to be HIS granddaughter and more importantly that he was MY grandpa! I knew then at that moment how special he was! I knew he carried these messages he was preaching of love, and was in fact living them too!
Grandpa is my example of a true moral compass. He was totally selfless, honest, kind, compassionate, patient, he did not judge, he could forgive our wrongs and accept our imperfections, and because he was not perfect he also asked for forgiveness and tried to right his wrongs. He loved deeply, he lived FULLY! He was a happy man. He was also a simple man. And while he was here on earth he was FULL of life! He expected the good, had deep faith and a spiritual life. HE gave guidance, counsel and comfort. He was a man of service, a man of grace. He had a vision for his family, and while he had a vision he also lived fully & in each & every moment. ALWAYS supportive and encouraging. He was a glass half full- kind of guy. He had a huge open heart. HE exuded peace, happiness and joy. HE WAS MY ROLE-MODEL. HE WAS A GIFT FROM GOD.
He had a purpose. To spread the word of God's love and to be an honorable family man. He took both of these jobs seriously and did them joyfully!
He was a glorious minister. He was also a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, an uncle, a friend, a student of life, an adventure seeker, an outdoorsman, a counselor, a healer, a peacemaker, a protector, a joker!
Mother Teresa once said, "We are pencils in the hand of a writing God who is sending love letters to the world." God certainly wrote a beautiful love letter when he created Leroy Bauman. And we, his family and friends, all were recipients of this love letter. This is to be celebrated and cherished forever. WE are always able to carry this love letter with us wherever we go. We will carry it in our hearts. His love and legacy found in each of us will forever remain. I think if he were here today his advice would be to live fully, to have a purposeful life, to forgive those who have wronged you and to love, love, love.
He has left us a beautiful legacy.
Seven children, 11 grandchildren, 1 grand-dog and 7 great-grandchildren with more to come!
In John 3:11 it is written, "This is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another".
I know this is what he and Nana would want. For their children and their children's families to come together in love. To remain a family unit in good times and in bad. To forgive and realize not one of us is perfect. To continue Bauman traditions of Thanksgiving and Christmas. To know that we each have our individual family units but we are a part of a greater. WE are one.
He would want us to be grateful. Grateful for each other. Grateful for this beautiful world and all the blessings it is capable of bestowing unto us.
Just prior to Wyatt and I getting married, Grandpa gave Wyatt and I counsel at his kitchen table. He told us to above all love each other in good times and in bad. He said marriage is a partnership. The union and each other are to be honored, respected, nurtured and supported. He offered this advice, "When hard times come, try to come from a place of understanding and above all communicate-- never go to bed angry". For me, his marriage with Nana is my role-model of what to strive for in a marriage. I remember them holding hands as a little girl, always sitting by each other and laughing together. I believe they are with each other again. Holding hands, dancing and laughing.
When I became a mother to my son, Luke, Grandpa gave me a call. He told me he was the one who got up in the middle of the night with each of his children when they were newborns. He said this was a special time with each of his children. He loved the silence of the night holding each of you and he also enjoyed listening to the radio programs too while he held you in his arms. He loved each of you equally and unconditionally. He had a deep love for his children.
As a grandchild of Grandpa's I will remember Christmas Days with the Baumans. Waking to the sound of jingle bells ringing from my sleeping bag in the basement. I will remember Thanksgivings of mashed potatoes, turkey, green bean casseroles and tons of pies. I will remember Indiana Dunes, Lake Michigan's cold water, warm campfires, sand castles, roasting marshmallows, and smores. I will remember Amana Colonies dinners and ice cream treats. I will remember playing spades and hearts with grandpa. I will remember his sweet poker face and his little chuckle when he laid his cards down to win! I will remember grandpa coming to Atlanta to take care of Paul and Erik and to support his daughter Cathy. In turn I will never forget of Erik's awesome assistance to grandpa in his last days. What a beautiful gift returned. This is what families do for each other. They show up. They show up in times of need and in times of celebration.
And since now I too am a mother, I will always remember Grandpa's admiration of his great-grandchildren. He looked at EACH of his great-grandchildren with such awe as they played at his feet. He loved that his family was at his 90th birthday party but it was his great-grandchildren who really stole his heart! And now, with our stories of Grandpa passed down to OUR children, his great-grand children, he will live in their hearts as well.
I will remember his smile and how he shared it with everyone. Mother Teresa once said, "Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Grandpa had the smile down, it was almost a permanent fixture on his face! And to jazz up the smile he would add a wink too! So he added an extra sprinkle of love in there!
He will go on in all of our hearts. We will carry him and Nana in all of our days. And trust that we will meet again.
For in Corinthians 4:18 it is written, "We look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal".
They now reside in God's eternal, heaven watching down on us and wishing only for our happiness, peace, comfort, love and understanding of each other. Our days on earth are in the here and now. Let us honor their beautiful lives by treating each other with the love they taught us all and demonstrated. And let us live fully and with purpose. Whatever your beautiful god-given purpose may be. A purposeful life is one that makes you feel really ALIVE and fulfilled and so grateful for your days.
So today, in this time of reflection and remembrance, let us celebrate Rev Leroy Bauman's long, happy and purposeful life and when we look at each other let us see him in one another. Let us forgive. Let us give thanks. Let us be grateful. Let us know the truth that we came from love and so we must be the embodiment of love. Let us always remember what a wonderful man Leroy Bauman was. Let us be grateful for his long and beautiful life. Our thanks be to God.
Retired Rod
What a beautiful and stirring Eulogy,your family can be proud of Mr. Bauman he sounds bigger than life, and a great example of a human being. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute! He was a well loved man!
ReplyDeleteThat is a terrific, moving eulogy. Rev. Bauman would be every bit as proud of his granddaughter, Allison, as she obviously is of him.
ReplyDeleteA simply beautiful eulogy. What a loving and caring Grand daughter.
ReplyDelete