Claude Abernethy was more than a parishioner to me; he was a friend, a colleague, and a support. I suspect most of you feel the same way. He was more than a business colleague, more than a fellow board member, more than someone you went to church with, even more than a father or grandfather. He meant much more to us than we could summarize in a word or phrase.
For that reason, it’s been difficult for all of us to watch his decline over the past few weeks and months, but most difficult for his family. We didn’t know what was happening to his body. We wanted to hope and pray for a treatable diagnosis, and for a reversal of his symptoms. We wanted Claude back.
In such situations I’m not always sure when is the appropriate time to talk about death. I wish it were a more comfortable subject for all of us, but it’s not to some – and it didn’t seem to be for Claude for a long time. About two and a half weeks before he died, however, I brought up the subject while he was in the hospital.
He said, “I’m ready to go,” and assured me that he was confident in the promise of Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism, “I belong, body and soul, in life and in death, not to myself, but to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.”
It was also the first time we discussed plans for his funeral. He knew I was leaving for the UCC’s General Synod, and he asked me who would preach his service if he died while I was away. He reminded me that when I became his pastor sixteen years ago, he said to me, “I want you to preach my funeral, but not anytime soon.” We agreed at the hospital that day it was going to be sooner than either of us had planned.
What we didn’t talk about, and I wish I had asked him, was if he had any particular preferences for hymns or Scriptures for this service. His family picked the music for today, and I picked the Scripture lessons that illustrate some important aspects of Claude’s life. The phrases in these texts say, “Claude,” at least to me.
Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account. (Ecclesiastes 3:15)
Claude Abernethy was a thinker. I almost used the word “philosopher,” and it could also be appropriate. Everyone who knew him said he had a keen mind, and he did – even to the end. But it wasn’t just the knowledge of facts. It was the rarer ability to organize and interpret those facts – to ponder them.
The writer of Ecclesiastes was a thinker. Like Claude, he had experienced much of what privilege can offer – opportunities that others only dream of. But also like Claude, he processed those experiences. As we’ll see in a moment, Claude was generous. He didn’t object to redistributing wealth. But he philosophized that even if it were possible to equally distribute all the world’s resources fairly to each individual, you’d probably have to do it again about once a week to keep the money even.
Claude didn’t just live life; he interpreted it. Claude was hard to classify him as a liberal or a conservative, for example. It depended on the subject. He held a deep respect for people across typical boundaries.
Austin Allran, our North Carolina Senator and a member of Corinth, said his favorite aspect of Claude was his love for local history. Claude knew so much about everything Catawba County because he had a relationship with almost everyone through family, profession, church, business, or one of the community and civic organizations he belonged to. Visiting his office or his home inevitably became a tour – mental if not visual – and a history lesson.
Being descended from Heinrich Weidner, one of Catawba County’s founding patriarchs, gave Claude not only awareness of local history but a sense of being its trustee and even evangelist. Jayne noted last week that Claude was not only a regular at the Old Soldiers Reunion – he insisted early on in her relationship to Shuford that she be included in the family outing to the parade.
Claude wouldn’t just tell you the facts of history. He would explain the significance. In my world, for example, he was one of a dwindling number of people who served in church leadership with Dr. Harry Althouse, Corinth’s pastor from 1930-1969.
Claude had his own perspective on how this building where we have worshiped came to be. He knew that a trip Dr. Althouse took with his family to Germany in the early 1950s contributed to the Gothic design. Claude was in the service and stationed in Germany at the time.
He said one day his superior told him, “Lieutenant Abernethy, a German doctor wants to see you.”
“I don’t know any German doctors,” Claude answered.
“He says he’s Dr. Althouse.”
“That’s no German doctor,” Claude answered. “That’s my hometown preacher.”
Claude believed, as many do, that the experience of seeing those German cathedrals contributed to Dr. Althouse wanting to have a Gothic-style church building in Hickory. But here’s where history turned into interpretation. Claude said that under Dr. Althouse Corinth had the best form of government – a “benevolent dictator.” We enjoy this fine facility because if Dr. Althouse wanted this building built, it would happen.
As a thinker, Claude was easily distracted from the task at hand. Had he been born a generation or two later, he probably would have been medicated for ADD. Shuford’s children say he took them to school when they lived with him after Raenelle died, but “he would often space out and miss the turn.” Even that might not be quite as bad as almost leaving his grandson Gordon behind at an Interstate rest stop.
Brenda White, who worked with Claude in his office for many years, said Claude would say, “In this business you have to change gears.” As the business climate changed, Claude would move with it. Brenda said that was not only true of Wall Street interests – Claude could shift his focus quickly from a stock rally to a civic club to a church matter to a family member to a board meeting.
Perhaps it was that constantly active mind that enabled Claude to look at life in unconventional ways. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes, he was a thinker.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
If the word “thinker” creates an image of a man sitting in his recliner philosophizing, that’s not what I mean. Claude was a doer. If his mind was on the “next thing,” his body sure wasn’t far behind.
He was a go-getter, an achiever, a worker. In the early 1970s, Raenelle framed a picture of Claude walking away from their home. On the back of the black and white print she wrote, “Always in a hurry – got to get to the office.”
He was also impatient about details and about things like eating. Claude would eat anything – but anything he ate he ate fast. He and Tom Warlick ate lunch together often for many years. Claude ate his in five minutes, then talked while Tom continued eating through the lunch hour.
This quality of being a doer Claude got honest and early. He was the only child of a legend in this church and community. “Mr. Ab” taught Sunday School to boys and mentored more than 500 young men through Boy Scout Troop One across a 50-year span. Claude himself earned the Eagle Scout award under his father’s tutelage. He was also voted “most dependable boy” in the 1944 Hickory High School graduating class. Four years later he graduated summa cum laude from Davidson College, and then earned the MBA in 1950, when that degree was far less common than today.
This restless energy to “do” propelled Claude’s personal life and professional career as well. He loved firsts. He drove to Iowa in the dead of winter to bring home a 1968 Winnebago, Catawba County’s first motor home. He drove his family to 49 states in that motor home, missing only Hawaii. (He’d have driven there if they had built a way to get there by land.) They went to Disney World the first year it was open, and made every world’s fair because of his love for innovation, for cutting edge stuff.
He tried a little innovation of his own, connecting five lawn mowers with steel rods to pull behind a tractor, or a car, whatever was available. Of course, the result was not so great when one of the mowers would go out, leaving a swath of uncut grass several feet wide.
You need to ask his kids and grandkids for some more details on those motor home trips, particularly his unique methods and times for cleaning the windshields. There are plenty of other travel stories with family, including trips after Raenelle died. Claude was always needing to go somewhere and do something.
His kids said he owned the first digital clock they ever saw, the first microwave, the first calculator, the first solar water heater, and the first Ford Taurus in Catawba County. He was always planning ahead toward the “next thing,” and that probably kept him alive longer as he set target dates he wanted to live to see – the year 2009, Grace’s wedding, July Fourth. The best guess of why he died on July 8 was that would have been his and Raenelle’s 55th wedding anniversary. It was another goal to reach.
Somehow related are also his various attempts at physical labor. Like me, his primary work was in the office, and, like me, he probably overinflated his sense of ability to work with his hands. He thought a caulking gun and can of spray paint could fix anything. His brush cleanup efforts became bonfires, and those often became small forest fires.
But you can’t do everything well, and Claude certainly did business well. He understood the financial world and prided himself at helping clients across generational lines invest and grow their wealth. He stayed active in his professional life as long as he possibly could, and far longer than most.
The Bible affirms the value of work, and a strong work ethic is certainly part of our spiritual tradition in America and in the German and Scottish traditions that formed Claude’s heritage. If, as the writer of Ecclesiastes said, it is a gift of God to find satisfaction in one’s toil, Claude was a happy man.
And he told them this parable. (Luke 12:20)
Like Jesus, Claude was a story-teller. His love for history included a love for stories – hearing them and telling them.
Tim said the other day that he learned fairly early that if he ever lost Claude in a public place – or any other member of the family, including his wife – all he had to do was be quiet and listen for laughing. Claude would have found someone he knew and started telling stories.
I chose to read this particular story from Luke’s gospel about the man who died suddenly when trying to accumulate more stuff for a couple of reasons. First, the lesson Jesus was trying to teach was one I believe Claude learned well and taught to others . Although Claude accumulated wealth for himself and for others during his lifetime, from all I could see he didn’t live for stuff. He didn’t put family and faith and generosity and service on hold while chasing the Almighty Dollar.
The other reason I chose this story is because it reminds me of a story I once told in a sermon that Claude particularly enjoyed and relayed to others.
It seems a certain man of means was nearing the end of his life. He decided to see if he could strike a bargain with God and take some of his wealth with him to heaven.
He talked to God about this and finally God said, “OK, you may bring one suitcase with you. But only one. Whatever you can bring in the suitcase you may take with you through the pearly gates.”
So the man gave it a considerable degree of thought. He couldn’t bring his cars or homes – they were too big. He couldn’t bring stock certificates, since there would be no way to trade them. He finally decided he would turn as much of his wealth into gold as he could fit in his suitcase.
When he showed up at the Pearly Gates with his suitcase, St. Peter stopped him. “You can’t bring that in here.”
“I have a special arrangement with God,” answered the man. “He said I could bring in one suitcase.”
St. Peter checked the files, and sure enough, the permission had been granted. He turned to the man and said, “Well, this is highly unusual. I’m curious, though, what did you decide to bring in your suitcase?”
Proudly the man unsnapped his case and showed Peter the gleaming gold bricks.
Peter started laughing hysterically. When he regained his composure, the man asked him, “What’s so funny?”
“You had the one big exception to taking possessions with you to heaven, and all you could think of was a suitcase full of pavement?”
I’m sure all of you have your own memories of Claude’s stories – the ones he heard and the ones he told. I hope you’ll share them with each other today. He would be pleased.
That he might be the first-born of many brothers. (Romans 8:29).
Claude was a mentor. Paul tells us that Jesus intentionally lived the kind of life after which we could model our own. He was what God wants to turn the rest of us into.
Claude was consciously a teacher. He never gave speeches, as far as I know, and in the life of the church was more ruling elder than teaching elder. But he was clearly “the first-born of many brothers” as he mentored others in the church, the community, and business.
There was a moment last week when Claude’s family was sharing memories and stories when the topic turned to Claude’s character and competence as a stock broker. “Everyone knew him and knew what he stood for,” Tim said.
Mike then said, “I owe everything to Claude.”
“As do I,” Tim added.
The men of Corinth, young and old, saw him as a mentor. Claude and Hamp Shuford were the two most senior members of our Wednesday night men’s Bible study and discussion group. Ross Rumbaugh said Claude would talk about the UCC and the Reformed Church and local history. Chris Cerrito spoke for the group when he wrote, “We considered him very wise, a sage among us.”
Burk Wyatt wrote me about the support Claude gave him in his church responsibilities. “Fatherly advice” was the phrase Burk used. He saw in Claude “a true leader” and a “humble servant in order to glorify God.”
It wasn’t just how Claude lived that gave us a good example. It was how he died. Anne said last week that she was proudest of how he dealt with his illness. He didn’t give up, he didn’t become bitter, and he didn’t make life miserable for others. He tried to find the bright spots.
He had some great caregivers at home, and each one brought something special into his life. But to give you one example of how he handled his illness, he said not long ago to his youngest caregiver, Brad, “It was worth getting sick to get to know you.” Brad is headed into a career in healthcare, and caring for Claude was his first job as a CNA. I suspect he will always remember Claude as a mentor and friend.
Maybe this is a good place to mention also how Claude spent time with his grandchildren and loved each of them individually. Especially after Raenelle died, he spent more time in their homes, and they were able to see him as a person. Here’s one of many priceless stories.
A couple of years ago, Will Sowers needed some help getting into some dog treats. He couldn’t quite get package of food open, so he asked Grandfather for help.
Claude opened the bag, but not realizing what was inside, took one out and ate it. Will, being a grandson of noble character, didn’t want to make Claude feel bad, so he took one out and ate it as well.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Claude said, “That was dog food.” Be humble and honest enough to admit your mistakes, and then laugh about them. That’s good mentoring.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
If I had to describe God in one word, I think I might choose “giver.” Certainly Paul uses that word in Romans 8:32. God’s nature is to give.
So it is a high compliment to say that Claude was a giver. He’s the only person I’ve ever personally known who was audited by the IRS for giving away too much money. Martha commented the other day, “He was always wanting to do something for others, even from his bed.” One of his last acts was to help grandson John Wepner get started in a business venture.
He was generous to his family. Every birthday was honored with $10 per year, and he even made sure a few weeks ago that Shuford withdrew enough money before he died to make sure every birthday was covered for the rest of 2009.
He was generous to the girls in his office. I heard a story last week that he helped someone with car trouble on the day of Raenelle’s funeral. Gene Holland mentioned that Claude was one of the men who took him to the hospital when he had a heart attack at Brotherhood.
He was generous to Corinth. In my early days as pastor when the church was trying to regain its footing, if we got behind on the budget Claude would sometimes singlehandedly help us catch up. He was generous to so many organizations and institutions, just one of many reasons they sought his leadership on their boards. He gave not only money, but time and wisdom and experience and advice. He helped many worthy projects get off the ground – the United Church Retirement Homes and the YMCA of Catawba Valley, among them. He passionately believed in the institutions of the Southern Conference, including Catawba College and Johns River Valley Camp, where I spent this past week. Claude had given money to a scholarship fund to make it possible for many of those kids to be at camp.
In his giving, Claude represented the heart of God.
(Nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
Finally, Claude was a believer.
I saved this for last, for several reasons. It’s the end of the third Scripture text I selected, and it is the hope with which we want to conclude.
But I think it’s also important to say at this point that no one is suggesting Claude was perfect. As his family said, “He could get cranky” – even mad. There were times when he should have listened to and valued others’ opinions as he wanted them to value his. Like the rest of us, he needed grace and forgiveness from God and others.
The best evidence that one has accepted that grace in more than just profession of lips is the willingness to forgive. Those who knew Claude best, his family, said he had an amazing ability to forgive wrongs and move on. He would be disappointed, even angry, if he was wronged, but also ready to accept an apology. He wanted reconciliation on his end and was willing to move toward it at any time if there was any receptivity from the other party.
Ken Clapp, who knew Claude through his Catawba College connection, noted that Claude treated people as equals. “The disparity in financial position or power of position or influence was never an issue.” Ken said Claude took a personal interest in his finances, though his account was small, but also in him as a person. That is evidence of a believer.
Another evidence of Claude’s faith was his commitment and faithfulness to his church. Many of you probably have heard one of Claude’s favorite stories about why he was a lifelong member of Corinth.
Martha said Claude divided time into Before Raenelle’s Death and After Raenelle’s Death. She was such a part of his life before her sudden passing a decade ago. Their bond was forged across denominational lines in the early 50s. He said that her Missouri Synod Lutheran Pastor at the time would not consent to the marriage because he “didn’t believe in mixed marriages.”
Claude didn’t want to attend church where he was considered outside the faith, so he made a deal with Raenelle. He would live in her town if she would join his church. We have been the beneficiaries here at Corinth for all these years.
Claude was faithful in Sunday School, in Brotherhood, on Wednesday nights, and in all facets of church life and leadership. Cecil Bost says he, Claude, Buddy Shuford, and George Murphy were all listed as ushers together at Corinth as far back as 1942, when he was only 15.
Being faithful in church doesn’t make you a believer, of course, but it’s just another evidence that what Claude professed with his mouth as he neared the end of his life was a matter of his heart.
This morning I read again through the meditation I shared at Raenelle’s service a decade ago. As most of you recall, she was active and in great health when she was stung by a bee and went into anaphylactic shock that took her life very suddenly. We were all so stunned by her abrupt passing, and much of that meditation was given to trying to regain our footing. It’s so hard when the grim reaper gives no warning.
The mood has been very different this time. Although we still feel we had to give up Claude too soon, when it came time, we were ready – even anxious. The disease had simply worn him down and worn us down. In contrast to Raenelle, we were hoping the last breath would come sooner, not later.
Few of us in this room know when that final breath will come, or how. Every time we gather for a service such as this, however, we should remind ourselves that it will – sooner or later, with or without warning and time to prepare.
Claude Abernethy had placed his trust in Jesus Christ who died in our place and rose again to conquer sin and death. His life and death gives all who trust him the confidence to say, “I belong, body and soul, in life and in death, not to myself but to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil.” Amen.