Commentary: A true friend, a true man of faith is laid to rest

I was going to try to put together a perspective on the life of an old friend, Pat Younk, in the wake of his unexpected death March 7.  Pat, along with his eventual wife Ruth, were among the first people I met when I moved here 30 years ago.  But after attending Pat’s funeral services at Front Royal Presbyterian Church on Monday, March 13, I feel inadequate to the task.

What could I possibly add to what was said by his church associates (Riverton UMC and FR Presbyterian at varying times) and family members, most poignantly by stepdaughter Katie Noel and her daughter Cadence; as well as by church officials Dr. C. Thomas Rhyne, Reverend Edward C. Dawkins and Reverend Rachel Crumley, among others?

Nothing.

They said it all.

Family and friends send a loved one off with the wind. Photos/Roger Bianchini

So, I tried to jot some notes down to pass on their thoughts as to why the loss of a Michigan native, retired union pipe-fitter, and occasionally ornery drinking buddy has impacted so many in this community.

As Reverend Dawkins said in opening the service, “Pat has the best seat in the house; he is with the Lord – and probably giving Him a few pointers.”

And little doubt those pointers likely involved, as Dawkins identified it, “Pat’s heartfelt passion for helping the needy.”

An appropriate sign in chapel of FR Presbyterian Church for a farewell to Pat Younk.

Katie explained the evolution of that passion as growing out of two events: one Pat’s late immersion into being around young children after she married and began producing grandchildren for her mom and stepdad; and Pat’s retirement from his union job that had kept him on the move around the country.  His sudden free time, coupled with an infatuation with his grandchildren eventually evolved into a caring for all children, and eventually all those in need, she told those assembled to say goodbye to her stepfather.

Weeping softly, Katie said, “He would do what he could to brighten their lives … I’m sorry, I just want all of us to keep that spirit alive, that caring, that giving.”

Katie Noel tries to explain the passion with which her stepdad came to embrace, not only his extended family, but the world around him.

Katie’s daughter Cadence talked of her profound sense of loss of the man she called Pop Pop.  Despite her youth, Cadence remembered Pop Pop’s starting the Fresh Start Project, which coupled with Pat’s role as director of C-CAP, comprised much of his retired life’s mission of helping others.

“I remember he would do things like taking them blankets, or give them a ride to the hospital. – But he didn’t just help the poor, he helped me and my siblings … he taught me to fish and to clean the fish we caught … I still can’t believe one of my favorite people is gone.  He will always stay in my heart and I hope he stays in yours,” a granddaughter suddenly older than her years concluded.

Dr. Thomas Rhyne recalled his first encounter with Pat as a representative of his wife Ruth’s church.  “He said he was pleasantly surprised I hadn’t come to push religion, but to actually get to know him … but when he finally came to church he did not stay on the sidelines … he grew as a Christian; he was a disciple, a learner of the values of compassion … he was deeply devoted to needy people, to struggling people … and in that devotion Pat revealed a Divine mystery – that service to the least is service to the Lord Himself,” Dr. Rhyne observed, recalling the words of Christ – “What you do to my least, you do to me … but our good works are just the fruits and evidence of this great hope (for salvation) … for upon death all our allies must step aside – judgment comes from God alone … and as is said, ‘If God is with us who can be against us?!!?”

And I thought, Pat’s safe with God’s judgment.

For if he was late to a certain “under-roof” definition of what the Holy Spirit really is, he certainly exemplified the true test as it is attributed to Christ’s words — “What you do to my least, you do to me.”

And this thought made me both happy, for Pat, and sad – Sad for those of us left behind.

For how many who still walk among us on the earth wrap themselves in the cloak of faith, be it Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism among others, all as a MASK for self-centeredness, greed, discrimination and violence to one’s own ends?

Too many I fear, far too many.

A goose, pond side at Panorama Memorial Garden on March 13, ponders his next step into often chilly waters.

But as these thoughts flooded my brain, I brought myself back to the necessity to just say goodbye to Pat; and to try and let his family know that I, among others that they know or don’t know, loved and will miss him too.