Tuesday, April 13, 2021
RECOLLECTIONS My heart goes out to Phil's Family, particularly those I knew best as a young lad at the Elkhorn and Alpine Ranches. Wayne, Darril & Greg... I can say I understand this loss, as Dad came to live with Margo and I last year in March and let go October 13, 2020. He was 90. Phil was among those I consider as great men. Men who had a pronounced influence on my life - including a few strategic mentoring moments that I carry today as treasures. I used to joke with your Dad, saying it was he who interested me in smoking, and I must confess to having absconded with a partial pack of his Camels(?) from the shop, where he was welding something, went out behind the main barn to light up. I recalled him taking long, delicious sounding drags on his cigarette whilst working, noticing the ash burn ever brighter as he did - then in exquisite detail the long drag I took, the resulting bout of extreme coughing. It got me sick and I never took to the practice from that moment forward. Your Dad, however, did not fail to impress upon me of the failure in my thinking... he demanded that I smoke all those cigarettes to help me learn something. Well, I got through maybe just one other, then lost my lunch. I do recall the raging headache I had for several days after that. A lesson learned! Phil always had a warm smile, or would easily conjure one up.. even in a moment where machinery was not right, he was sorting the mess out and time short. His clear blue eyes, his smile, and super-hard work ethos really has imparted a life-long effect on me. I thank him for that. Lastly, and there is so much more, is Alice. Your Dad & Mom were among the few examples of what I saw as a great love between two people, and a marriage that could only be deemed a smashing success by anyone's measure. I always loved visiting the house at the Alpine, knowing always that Alice would have some magical sweet pastry, pie or cake at the ready. I also do believe she produced the best baked chicken in the Valley, probably the Province! Margo met them and I saw them both for the last time at… believe it was their 50th anniversary, enjoyed at Winderberry Farm with the Taylors, and other friends, some of whom I remembered after some prodding. That was a special time for us. I miss them both.. Margo and I are in our 38th year. We used to travel to the Windermere Valley frequently, however as business demanded, we stopped. Yet always with the intention to return. Before we married, we summited Mt. Swansea, where I talked endlessly on my youth in the Valley while looking down at the ranch, and every familiar landmark. I think of you guys often. Wayne, Darril and Greg. I recall you all inherited your Dad’s blue eyes. Brother’s Bill and David, sisters, Kergan (Susan), Ann and Fletcher all live within earshot here in the greater Seattle region. We became grandparents the first-time last October, to our son Clayton, his wife Stephanie. Our youngest, Ryan is already 31. Bill will become a grandfather in about 45-days from now. At 70 he was not fast out of this gate. All of us are well. Our Prayers are for Phil, and you as you make the adjustment to this life in his Aftermath. He is with the Lord and shines brightly on the hearts of everyone blessed to know him. I will reach out next time we get up to the Windermere Valley. Christopher Street 1woodendecoy@gmail.com
