My Uncle Bob!
When I was a child there was always this mysterious figure that lived way off in another country called Texas. He was that handsome 6’5” genius that was going to school and when he was finished he would be an important doctor. Everyone that lived in western New York was so very proud of this family giant. You can imagine how happy and excited we were when we found out he was coming to visit and bringing his family with him. We met Patricia, Robin, and Cathy and they were so pretty and we were very proud. They did talk funny though.
There was one time when I was around 5 or 6 years old that I was supposed to rock my infant sister to sleep in the buggy but she would only cry and fuss, so I decided to put my hand over her mouth to keep her quiet and fortunately Uncle Bob walked in and caught me and saved my sister from possible suffocation. Thank you, Uncle.
Then there was the time we would hear about his hunting trips and eventually see the trophies that he had captured, which for young farm boys was very exciting. I remember when he would sit down and play the piano or organ and there was real rhythm presented from this exciting younger member of our family. Not like the old hymns played by his mom or sisters, which I eventually learned was a very desirable and wonderful skill. I’m sure he never knew how much we enjoyed his relationship with our family.
He diagnosed my mother, Edna, with an abdominal mass that needed attention. His older sister would die from cancer early and the Christmas of 1965 was when he came to be with her for the last time. He was a gentle hero to all of us. When we were middle-aged adults I had the opportunity to visit him on the horse ranch and enjoy how much he had done to advance the breed of the Paso in the US. I was very impressed with what he built.
For a while, we lived in Dallas and would visit when our youngest son was very young. On one occasion when my wife picked him up at the airport she had a swollen foot. Uncle Bob asked permission to touch her ear and she was amazed as she watched her swelling reduce before her eyes.
After we moved from Texas to California, Kathy would visit the Mary Kay Seminars and stay with them on the ranch. They were always very gracious. He diagnosed Kathy with many allergies and found a way for her complete healing. Kathy actually worked for him in the medical offices for a time.
Later I would travel to Texas to work with a supplier for the company I was a buyer, and I took the opportunity to visit Uncle Bob and Aunt Pat while he was in his mid-80’s. We had a wonderful visit and my conversations I remember as though they were recent.
He had sent me a picture as he worked out as a 75-year-old man and he was in great shape. But now after his surgery life had slowed down. But he told me I should be back in the ministry with all the things we talked about as to how people could benefit from a relationship with Jesus.
He is one of the reasons I went back into the ministry and may have helped a few other people. Kathy and I had one other visit with Uncle Bob and Aunt Pat a couple of years ago when they were at the assisted living location. We had dinner together and spent the afternoon laughing and talking. He was a blessing and hero to me and I’m sure he had the same effect on many other people. Families are benefitted from their heroes, and Uncle Bob benefitted our family. I am proud of my uncle and will always talk about this man that blessed so many lives.
Regards,
Bob and Kathy Phelps