"Dad was one of seven children"

Draft of eulogy for Richard Berkey, written by his daughter Catherine during a drive from Colorado to California for his funeral. The draft is written in a notebook and details Richard's life.

Catherine Bellew

Catherine Bellew

Unpublished

Catherine Bellew

English

2000-2024

eulogy

lined paper, pen ink

Person to Person (Analogue)

Dad was one of seven children born to John & Linda Berkey. I can only imagine they had their hands full. All of your personalities. As a mom myself it makes my head spin. Hearing all stories of your antics and yet I couldn't get enough. It was like having a favorite book. You just didn't want to put it down and it lasted my whole life. I always imagined you all as the little rascals. (Our Gang.) Who was who <crossed out> depended on who <crossed out> and the character, changed depending on <crossed out> the story <crossed out> who was telling the story, but in <crossed out> was <crossed out> all of Dad's stories it was clear he looked up to all his brothers and sisters. He just want you to be proud of him as he was you. He may <crossed out> be <crossed out> not have [unclear] in ways that most people expected but he found other <crossed out> ways <crossed out> thing to give his confadance and joy. For instance, as long as I can remember he had a love for music. Even playing the saxophone in the high school band. Not long after high school he joined the army [two words crossed out] National Guard. Finish he [unclear] and even stayed <crossed out> on on a few more <crossed out> on as a reserve.

I can only think that my dad was excited thinking he found a woman <crossed out> who <crossed out> that was a little different [word crossed out] like him. Someone who marched to their own drum. <crossed out> So they <crossed out> marrying and having [several words crossed out] five beautiful, amazing, [crossed out word], clever, imaginative, creative oh sorry I miht have gotten carried away Hah. But [unclear] as it turn out <crossed out> they were not <crossed out> that he and mom where not marching to the same drum. As it turn out, they weren't even marching in the same band. Haha.

So <crossed out> what <crossed out> with time on his hands started another chapter of the book with him and Aunt Arlene. Will save those stories for later.

Moving on. Its not secret that dad liked his fast food. He found a favorite place, Frossy Freeze. Sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. Because the woman the changed his life forever was their. <crossed out> He didn't what to <crossed out> He was smart enough to now it and didn't want to miss out. So with his best Casanova line he went [word crossed out] to woo her. Somehow it worked. His love for her and hers for him changed all of us. Made us Better. A true love story. When God parted them and only God could he [word crossed out] was never the same. God knows we all tryed. When Glenda passed she made me promise to take care of him. So today <crossed out> we are all <crossed out> even though we will all mis him we are giving him back to her. In each others arm. Together again.

8" x 11"