Clouded by the swirling mists of time that comprise my memories, there is a story that (for a couple of years) I have wanted to get into my blog: The story of John Kaufman. While living in Albuquerque NM (but commuting to a job in Sunnyvale CA, where I kept an apartment), I took an opportunity to return to Kansas--working for Cessna as an aircraft structures engineer. I began as a stress and fatigue engineer, working on the largest business jet that they then manufactured, the Citation III, and a follow-on under development as the Citation VII. Structural test engineers began to figure prominently in my working day, and I was privileged to meet one by the name of John Kaufman.
When I looked at John, I saw a typical Kansas gentleman farmer--one who worked as an engineer while farming the land. He, a tall, somewhat rotund, man, frequently wore dungarees (I even have faint rememberances of overalls, but this could be a quirk of my memory!) and steel-toed work boots. His hair was clipped closely at the sides, but was long and straight and dark and un-ruly on top. To all appearances he was a Kansas "hick". Ah, but, the mind and spirit of John Kaufman were anything but.
We had known one another but a short time when our friendship was cemented. One of John's four, beloved adult sons had written a bird book...and...I, as a birder since age 14, had purchased that book before knowing of the connection between John Kaufman, the engineer, and Kenn Kaufman, the naturalist/ornithologist. Obviously, John's opinion of me had to be good--I'd had the good sense to purchase Kenn's Birds of North America! On the other hand, I knew that there must be a lot to John for having produced a Kenn! As it turned out, John was not a farmer in any sense of the word. He his wife, Joan, and their children had moved to Wichita from Indiana, as I recall. If I recall, correctly, both of John's parents were university academics. Having been raised in an intellectual environment, John could certainly hold his own! How his exterior had belied his interior!
For some years, John and I remained workplace friends. On occasion, we would share a table in the lunch room, and I never tired of listening to his update on his family. The high points were that he had a wonderful wife who had been responsible for raising his four wonderful sons. One son, as I recall, won a coveted prize for his cinematography/animation work; but, all four sons were quite accomplished. In addition, at least one of the sons' wives was accomplished. Kenn's wife, Lynn, was a naturalist/botanist, who was publishing--do I remember correctly coloring/children's books of butterflies?--and, later collaborated with Kenn in producing CDs of bird calls/songs, etc. All-in-all, John made it clear how proud he was of his whole family. He felt awed that he belonged to such a clan.
During 10-12 years of workplace friendship, I learned that John Kaufman had varied interests outside the workplace. He was a Boy Scout leader, a glider pilot, and an amateur radio operator. As he knew that I was a pilot and an amateur radio operator, John constantly encouraged me to take up sail planing and to get back on the air. He went so far as to tell me about a 2-meter band transceiver that a fellow Wichita Amateur Radio Club member had for sale, and acting as the go-between in my purchase of the transceiver! When he delivered the transceiver--to our house--John let me know that our neighbor who lived across the street was also active in Boy Scouts--something that we had not known (John lived in Wichita while we lived in Derby, a suburb.)
Time went by, and John reach age 65, opting to retire. He and his wife planned to do some traveling as soon as she could have replacement surgery on ankle and knee joints, to provide her with independent mobility. The surgeries were started, and progressed over the next couple of years, and John came out to the Cessna plant to visit his old pals every-so-often. On occasion, he would call to see if I wished to meet him for lunch in the cafeteria, and we would resume our conversation over meat loaf. John had long ago confided his love of meat loaf, and how it was wonderful to have meat loaf that he hadn't had to make, himself. His visits to Cessna always coincided with "meat loaf day" at the cafeteria.
For many years Cessna had had their managers distribute frozen turkeys to all of the workers as they left the plant for the year-end holidays. (Eat your hearts out: aerospace workers, in general, are on holiday from Christmas Eve until January 2nd.) The distribution was not limited to current workers, but included retirees (they now send us gift cards--still a nice touch). An added fillip was that, in order to control distribution, each worker or retiree received "an IBM card", distributed by their supervisors (distributed via mail for retirees) that was to be exchanged for their turkey. IF a person chose to, they might sign their card and turn it in to security, prior to the holiday, and the person's turkey plus a matching turkey would be given to the local food bank to be distributed to those who could use a boost.
Came a day when John called me at work to cancel our scheduled lunch meeting for that week, and to ask a favor. He and his wife were ill with the flu, but he wished to follow his normal custom of turning his turkey card in to benefit the food bank. If he mailed me the card, would I turn it in for him? Absolutely! We agreed to meet sometime in January.
Alas! It was not to be. In early January, John Kaufman's obituary appeared in the local newspaper. With heavy heart, I attended his services--services that were overflowing of the (my estimate: 300-seat) facility. I recognized groups of people from Cessna, in attendance, as well as many amateur radio operators and pilots. John was widely known and well loved. Although I got to shake hands with three of their four sons (Kenn was off on assignment outside North America, I don't recall where), I had not the chance to speak with them other than to say how much I had enjoyed hearing John extoll their virtues and accomplishments. Too, I, for the first time, saw John's wife. Her surgeries had not progressed to the point where she could leave her wheelchair; but, she was elegantly dressed and wore an elegant (Marlene Dietrich-ish) hat. Typically for John, he had told me "everything" about his wife except her physical description. He had told me of the beauty of her soul. He had told me how much he admired and appreciated her. He had told me how lucky he was to have such a wonderful wife. He had never once mentioned the fact of her physical beauty. John Kaufman's wife was gorgeous!
WOW! Just wow!
You make it sound like I spent every minute catering to your every need. As I recall....you did a lot of the catering. Thanks for help with the weeding and canning. I don't believe there are many people who seek a retreat where they get put to work!
Thanks for helping me get my Christmas shopping started. And, thanks for letting me dawdle for several days while I touched fabric before I finally got down to work and actually cut and sewed something.
And THANK YOU, for the incredible stash you brought for me! I know I mentioned the wine, which Dear Husband appreciates. Elegante Mother is enjoying the yarn covered hangers you made for her.
I rather think *I* had the best time those five days, and I was really sorry that your visit was cut short. Who knows....I might have been able to nag you to speed up work, and we could have sent you home with a finished wall hanging! But then, you'd have never some back, so it's just as well we took those occasional naps.
I had a wonderful time, Cop Car. Thank you for everything.
Posted by: buffy | August 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Now you know what I experience every time I visit BS (*G* you know, short for Beloved Sister - GAWD, I can't help myself!!)
Isn't she a peach?? What you experience is absolutely a gift for the Almighty!! Is it any wonder that I have hounded her to start a B & B with me one day?
Glad you had a marvelous visit. DH and EM always rise to the occasion. How can you not help but do the same in the glow of someone so marvelous at being the "gracious hostess"? The bunch of them make for loving memories and spa-like rest.
Frankie
Posted by: Frankie | August 22, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Frankie brought me up short: reminded me that I lied in writing, "My visit just could not have been any better." Unbeknownst to me until later, I nearly got to meet Frankie! Unfortunately, she had commitments that kept her from visiting her BS (yes, Frankie, I love that!) while I was there.
Frankie--With any luck, there will be another opportunity for us to hug, in the flesh. You figured prominently in BS's narratives--all to the good, of course--and I look forward to our eventual meeting. Thanks for dropping by!
Posted by: Cop Car | August 23, 2006 at 08:17 AM
I am jealous. Vacation. Buffy's place. Quilts. Jam. And 24/7 of hearing "Take The A Train"....
Posted by: Cowtown Pattie | August 27, 2006 at 09:10 PM
What's with this BS Stuff!!?? *G* And you can forget the "gracious hostess" stuff, too. As I recall, while you were with me (both of you...separate visits...), I got to sit around and let YOU do the work! I'm very glad that you both came to visit.
Pattie....only Cop Car could find a station that played the same song 24/7!
Posted by: buffy | September 01, 2006 at 11:26 PM
Buffy--Finding the 24/7 station wasn't hard, at all. But, I never did get a signal that would re-set my clock in that radio. Had to set it manually. Maybe the Fermi Labs disrupt reception????
All--When I went to Buffy's, I took my radio-controlled clock/radio along with me. Being one who normally has a radio on all night (if you have tinnitus, you understand), I didn't know whether Buffy's guest room included a radio (it does) and if it did, I was afraid that my fumbling about for the controls in the dark-of-night might result in sudden blaring that would wake the household. Here at home, we receive strong signals from one of the Naval standard time affiliates that is in Colorado. Don't know from whence the Chicago area gets their standard time signals signals; but, never did find them at Buffy's. No big deal!
Posted by: Cop Car | September 02, 2006 at 08:12 AM