My dear Uncle, Loren Van Abbema of Hannibal, MO, passed away 1 day before 90 members of our family met for a reunion in Colorado. The reunion was a wonderful opportunity for all family to get together as an un-planned memorial. He was 1 of 12 brothers and sisters and will be greatly missed.
I wrote a blog post several months ago about he and his chain saw carving. I am including a wonderful carving of an eagle that I have in my living room.
He was a photo journalist in the Vietnam war, and I’m sure had some incredibly haunting memories of that time. I never did ask him about those times, and he never offered to share. Some things are best left.
I mainly remembered him as the uncle who could come up with the most sarcastic, humorous comments and stories – always entertaining. When he talked about learning to carve with a chain saw, he said he kept trying to make bears or eagles and when he would mess up (accidentally cutting off an arm or head), he would turn them into mushrooms. His yard is filled with chain-saw carved mushrooms.
Uncle Loren, Soar with the eagles. Say Hi to dad. We miss both of you.
He was a great man, and his carvings are extraordinary. He fought a good fight, but he is at peace now.
Thank you.