Although my younger brother, Eric, and I were very different from one another (he was agile and deeply invested in sports, while I have always had two left feet and have found team sports of little interest, regardless of the shape of the ball or the type of surface being played on), we had much in common, too, puns and poetry not the least of them.

My brother knew that I would (more than likely) process my grief at his passing through writing a sonnet, and he had made plans for the sonnet to be included in the memorial service, as well as in the program for it. A thoughtful gesture, which did put a deadline on a process that can be quite unpredictable. But two days after his death, I was able to express both my admiration for, as well as sense of loss with the death of my brother.

For all of his life, Eric loved sports, hence the first word picture is of him as a power forward on the basketball court, which also became the sphere in which he first exercised his vocation as director of a sports ministry. The second stanza addresses the way he became a financial advisor not long after gaining his broker’s license while working as a bank teller. He blessed many with what he learned through working with Charles Schwab, including me and my family. The third stanza addressed the scholar and student of Biblical languages that he became in the final years of his life. Throughout these various career moves, Eric remained the same young man I had come to know him to be in our parent’s home. Six years my junior, I didn’t really begin to know him well until after he was in his teens – the age difference between us creating a gap that was not easily overcome until we were young men. Whether as an athlete, advisor, or seminarian, he was a gentleman, thoughtful and kind, a sharp mind, quick with the puns, and more quiet than wordy, but when he had something to say, it was worth paying attention! I know many miss him greatly.

Eric’s Last & Best Three-Point Sermon

Game point – too soon! The season’s done. What now? Our power forward played his toughest match. Decisive stats, are his – and yet, somehow It’s ended – Training wasted? Season’s Scratch?

Securities withdrawn too soon won’t prove: Returns unrealized, vested interest lost; Unless the priceless pearl demands the move – Lose all for refuge sure, what e’re the cost!

In Hebrew, Greek, is found the Holy Word: Niphal, Piel, verb weak or strong confounds. Grim cancer too: a sermon that’s absurd; Yet workman not ashamed this text expounds.

Enduring son, investor, scholar wise, Too soon departed. Eric wins the prize!

Mark Wenger, December 19, 2015.