alanrodgers's Blogs

I just found a photo from five years ago which led me to this fond memory.  It was then that Doctor Joe lost his battle with cancer.  In accordance with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he requested that his body be cremated.

I attended the funeral Mass. which was well attended.  His daughters and sons gave the readings. One daughter gave the eulogy, which was both moving and funny, on growing up with Dad.  The priest gave some comforting remarks.

But there was one detail that was eloquent.  On a small table in front of the altar, sharing space with the urn bearing Joe's ashes, was a shabby. battered leather bag.  In the subdued light you could just barely make out a red cross.  This was Joe's medical emergency kit.  Looking at that worn bag you could almost hear the telephone ring in the bedroom in the middle of the night, and the doctor's low voice responding - low so as not to wake the children.  Then the unavoidable noise as he stamped on his boots, then the warming of the  car outside.

The worn bag gave testimony that neither snow nor hail nor the cold wind rattling the windows could stop Joe from making an emergency call.  In that earlier generation. before the 911 call system,  people would call their physicians when there was an emergency.  The doctor would come with just the instruments and drugs that his bag could hold.  That was still the way it was in small towns when the AIDS crisis hit.

Joe had three sons in universities at the time.  Perhaps because Joe was personally tolerant  and accepting, they all introduced gay friends to him.  Joe was pretty strict in insisting on safe sex, but very understanding.  He joined a large number of doctors who urged FDA to release experimental drugs in the fight against AIDS and the criminal indifference of Ronald Reagan.

His widow told me later on that he convinced two universities to include HIV testing in their student health programs without parental notification.

As I came out of the church I noticed something amazing.  The whole back of the nave was full of male pairs.  Dr. Joe was honored and not forgotten.

Even at this late date it seems appropriate to say thank you, Joe, for your care and many services.  And thank you too for your friendship.