Eulogy
Given at the service of praise and thanksgiving in celebration of the life of
Henry William "Hank" Deschner
1925 - 2002
3:00 P.M. - January 23, 2002
First United Methodist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas
By his friend and Scouting partner Dr. Bill Whiteside
On my honor
I will do my best
To do my duty to God
And my country
And to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake
And morally straight.
A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
This is what Hank Deschner taught.
This is the way Hank Deschner lived.
This is who Hank Deschner was!
I have been greatly honored to be asked to say a few words about my friend and mentor, Hank Deschner.
There is so much good to say about this man that it is difficult to know where to begin. I think that I will begin at the end and work from there.
Somewhere in red letters it says, "A tree is known by its fruits."
Looking at this gathering, I think it is safe to say that all of us here are in some way a part of those "Fruits". Hank sent a lot of ripples out through the world!
The six children that Hank and Margaret brought up didn't fall far from that tree. We all sat around and shared memories to help me to prepare this eulogy. It began with the call "Gather' round." by one of Hank's brood. If you had Scouted with Hank, you would recognize the words!
For a couple of hours we shared memories and insights into a man of love, honor, integrity and sensitivity. The family is articulate, bright and eager that you know Hank as he was in life through their eyes and hearts.
These five young men and one young lady are my ideals of the way kids ought to turn out. They work hard, contribute to their communities, worship God, and stand up for what is right. They exude love! They are love! The children want the world to know how proud they are to say that, "I am Hank Deschner's son or daughter."
Hank's daughters-in-law and son-in-law were full of praise for these parents. They have known acceptance and unconditional love from Hank and Margaret. They too wanted you to know how much they loved him.
They all want you to know that Hank's life was well lived!
Hank's priorities were obvious and admirable.
1. Family first! He honored his Father and Mother. He adored his wife and his children, and he cherished his fourteen grand children
2. Hank loved God and His Church.
3. Hank was absolutely called to Boy Scouting.
4. Hank loved this Country and never let a Scouting occasion go by without honoring our flag. The flag was flown at the Deschner home on all appropriate occasions.
5. A plaque on Hank's desk reads:
"A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was,
the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove.
But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a boy."
In spite of the fact that making money was way down his list of priorities, he managed to educate six kids.
The measure of a man is truly what he stands for. Hank's perception of the Eternal Truths in life was clear and opens to the world. The ideas he valued were based on these Truths. When it became obvious to him that a valued idea was hurtful to another human being, he had the courage to say, "I'm sorry."
Hank taught his kids and his Scouts the meaning of giving. Christmas Eve, while most were preparing their own Christmas, Hank was out with Scouts delivering food and gifts to those who were down on their luck.
But, not every thing that Hank did was selfless. When we camped out, Hank always set up a polished brass bedstead in the Scoutmaster's tent. Our Scouts would bring Scouts from other Troops just to see that bed.
And when he got in that bed! Hank made some of the most awesome noises I have ever heard! Those of you who have camped with Hank know that he knew how to snore!
And most of you who have been his Scouts have heard his old Marine Drill Instructor's wrath! A boy who was messing up could have his hair parted by the blast. Within minutes, however, Hank would have his arm around his shoulder while he restored the kid's ego with a smile and his huge laugh.
Hank believed in taking care of things. He was a handyman, looking after the repairs and care of his home. He taught his kids those skills. He was a taskmaster in the care of the Troop properties. Nothing was put away unless it was clean and dry. When it was put away, it went to the proper locatin . . . ready for the next camp out. Scouts learned this from Hank early and often.
Hank was big! He laughed big. Loved big. And he was loved big! He was sensitive to others, but he was also sensitive to his own feelings. I don't think he ever got through an evening flag ceremony or an advancement ceremony without wiping a tear from his eyes. One of his regrets in life was that he could never get through a family prayer without choking up.
Hank saw beauty in everything, especially in the out of doors. One year at campsite 12 (was there any other campsite) there was a roadrunner, a paisano, nesting in a mesquite tree. Hank would watch her and sketch details of her in his notebook. He saw wonder and joy in God's creations.
When he took up Bonsai, he created beautiful pieces and shared them with his friends. He carved great neckerchief slides and awarded them to his Scouts. He worked with his Order of the Arrow Scouts to create authentic Indian dance costumes.
Hank and Margaret were married 51 years. We had the joy of being with them to celebrate their 50th anniversary. All the children and grandchildren were there. The kids had put together a really professional video covering their 50 years together. Every one of the children gave a touching tribute to "Mammy and Pappy". Hank cried for joy! The room was filled with love.
No one can do this alone. This was a powerful team effort. Margaret and Hank were helpmates who dearly loved one another, loved their children, and most every one God brought their way.
This song, The Boy Scout Vesper Song, closed every meeting and camp fire. Hank wrote his own feelings in word pictures about this closing. I'd like end with Hank's own words . . .
SOFTLY FALLS THE LIGHT OF DAY -
Day is done. A brilliant sunset. The nighthawk soars through the sky chasing an insect. Venus stands out like a huge sparkling diamond in the last glimmer of evening sky. The cool air has a certain freshness. Up above, a billion stars light up the Milky Way, which looks like a huge glittering cloud.
The campfire is lit, the flames leap up like red and yellow dragon tongues. The feeling of warmth, the smell of smoke, excitement, laughing, cutting-up. It's nice around a campfire. Skits, stunts, jokes, some good, some bad, all a lot of fun.
AS OUR CAMPFIRE FADES AWAY
SILENTLY EACH SCOUT SHOULD ASK,
HAVE I DONE MY DAILY TASK ---
Campfires burned down to a mound of glowing embers, a crackle, a small flame shoots out, burns and dies. The dragon tongue is tamed. A slight breeze, a puff of smoke. Thoughts that wander. Home, the patrol, Scouting. Sharing the load is very important, not only in chores around the campsite, but also in developing skills and leadership. To be of service to others.
HAVE I KEPT MY HONOR BRIGHT,
CAN I GUILTLESS SLEEP TONIGHT --
"On my Honor" so goes the first challenge of the Scout Oath. You start out with a clean slate. Dirty it and it can never be completely clean again. Guard well this most precious personal treasure. With honor, one need never fear if he seeks the truth.
HAVE I DONE AND HAVE I DARED,
EVERYTHING TO BE PREPARED --
The challenge to do your best, to learn to excel, to dare to reach out, to strive in every effort to reach one's full potential.
To be prepared, both in mind and body to weather the storms of life. And to succeed because I was prepared.
It's sack time, Goodnight Scouts.
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