Gary Hetzel Passed away November 22, 2010 Services will be at Rose Precht Chapel, in Chelan, on December 18th at 2:00

Dear Friends,

Gary Hetzel and I were close friends, Christian brothers and fishing buddies. The day before his death Jeannetta and I shared communion in our home, as was our custom in our Sunday morning home church service. It was, as always, a special time of fellowship.

Gary Hetzel, October 7, 1954 - November 22, 2010

This is not a eulogy that chronicles the life of Gary. We all know how much of an outdoorsman he was, how dedicated he was to his work, how passionate he was about his various hobbies, how he was a big brother to many of the young people who came to work for the Park through his 18 years in Stehekin. This is a tribute to his faith in Jesus Christ.

One of Gary's favorite books was, The Practice of the Presence of God, written by a monk named Brother Lawrence in 1691, and Gary's favorite quote from that book is as follows:

"Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on God, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone who came to visit you; why, then, must God be neglected? Do not, then, forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian. In a word, this is our profession; if we do not know it, we must learn it."

These words echo in my heart as though Gary is speaking them to me today. Gary did not die alone. His best friend was with him. His devotion to Jesus Christ was apparent in the way he lived his life as all who know him well will testify.

I have struggled with the loss of my dear friend, and I have asked the "why" question. The answer came to me, as you might guess, in writing the following poem:

In His Time
by David Kurth

No, it's not for you to call an end to winter
You cannot know when the energy of the seed is sufficient
To push through the soil

No, it's not for you to command the snow to melt
And flood the spring with the roar of cascading water
It's not for you to open the petals of the glacier lily
Or extend the light of day

No, it's not for you to wish back
... the seed to un-push soil
...the blossom to un-unfold
... the snow to stop its fall
...to hold back the water's flow

No, it's not for you even to wish back the life of the friend
you thought had died too soon.