I am writing to let you know I met Eddy in the airport. Both of us were waiting to be put on the plane to back to our homes. Wendy was getting him a sandwich to eat, when she returned we were bonded. We promised to keep in touch with each other. He asked me for my address and phone number and told me his sister was writing a book and wanted to send me one. It was called Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. It wasn't long before I received it.
He kept his word to me until he passed. I will never forget his loving, kind spirit. In Matthew 11-28, Jesus says "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Eddy's labored a long time even if he wasn't well, his work was finished here on earth and Jesus called him home to rest. Psalm 116-15 says "Precious in the sight of the lord is the death of his spirits." He was precious to me also and his family. He often talked to me about how he loved them and how he was getting to be a little more than Wendy could handle. He wanted to be able to help her more than he could. He knew she loved him and the children also.
In Timothy 4-7, Paul said, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith." That's what Eddy did. He fought a good fight with his illness. He finished his course, the time for his departure was at hand. These few words cannot express how I felt about him. I thank God for Wendy sharing him with me. He will never be forgotten.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Sweet Words from Herman van Betten
Every time my wife Pat and I look out of the windows into the garden, we think of Eddy because the more than one hundred Irises there remind us of the bucket of Irises Eddy gave us many years ago.
I had the honor of working with him for a number of years when I was dean of the Henderson Campus of CCSN. Eddy was one of the most popular and admired professors and the founder of the Environmental Technology program at the college. As a spokesperson for the environmental movement, Eddy was at the beginning of environmental awareness that has culminated in an increasing interest among students and residents of Southen Nevada.
He also inaugurated a degree program in Wastewater Treatment, a program that was very popular among professionals there with degrees in other areas, but who needed more specific coursework in their chosen profession. As a result Eddy and I were frequent visitors at Wastewater Treatment plant on Pabco Road. Eddy once pointed out to me a sign on one of the technicians' desk that read: "It may be shit to you, but it is my bread and butter."
Both of us were invited one time to a banquet of the Wastewater Treatment Association where I received a plaque honoring me with the "annual fecal award," an award that really should have gone to Eddy since he did all the work. It did show that people in that field have a good sense of humor.
When we got a tour of the plant, the general manager took us outside and showed the vast area around the plant with many luscious green acres, sprinkled by "grey water" of the plant. The manager then told us: "In twenty years developers will build thousands of homes here then they'll sue us for the smell that will permeate every home." And that, of course, is exactly what happened and we did not have to wait twenty years.
Eddy's untimely passing is a loss not only to his family but to all of us in Southern Nevada. I understand that his once successful Environmental Studies Program has withered into nothing, just at the time when global warming threatens to make life so much harder for our children and grandchildren.
Not only was Eddy a brilliant scientist and visionary, he was also a magnificent, kind and always cheerful human being. Eddy we will miss you.
I had the honor of working with him for a number of years when I was dean of the Henderson Campus of CCSN. Eddy was one of the most popular and admired professors and the founder of the Environmental Technology program at the college. As a spokesperson for the environmental movement, Eddy was at the beginning of environmental awareness that has culminated in an increasing interest among students and residents of Southen Nevada.
He also inaugurated a degree program in Wastewater Treatment, a program that was very popular among professionals there with degrees in other areas, but who needed more specific coursework in their chosen profession. As a result Eddy and I were frequent visitors at Wastewater Treatment plant on Pabco Road. Eddy once pointed out to me a sign on one of the technicians' desk that read: "It may be shit to you, but it is my bread and butter."
Both of us were invited one time to a banquet of the Wastewater Treatment Association where I received a plaque honoring me with the "annual fecal award," an award that really should have gone to Eddy since he did all the work. It did show that people in that field have a good sense of humor.
When we got a tour of the plant, the general manager took us outside and showed the vast area around the plant with many luscious green acres, sprinkled by "grey water" of the plant. The manager then told us: "In twenty years developers will build thousands of homes here then they'll sue us for the smell that will permeate every home." And that, of course, is exactly what happened and we did not have to wait twenty years.
Eddy's untimely passing is a loss not only to his family but to all of us in Southern Nevada. I understand that his once successful Environmental Studies Program has withered into nothing, just at the time when global warming threatens to make life so much harder for our children and grandchildren.
Not only was Eddy a brilliant scientist and visionary, he was also a magnificent, kind and always cheerful human being. Eddy we will miss you.
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