Today is one of those bittersweet days. I am going to attend a memorial service for my political mentor: Wendell Wyatt.
There was no particular reason why I should have known him. But life is based on the same coincidences that morph novels into page turners.
The year was 1964. I was a sophomore in high school, and was developing an interest in politics and law. My parents' lawyer just happened to be the campaign manager for a colleague who was running for Congress that year -- and the connection was made.
Wendell Wyatt was elected to Congress that year, and we became friends. Whenever I was in Washington, I could drop in and see him. When he was in the district, I would occasionally ride around with him and his district manager: Chuck Hoyt.
He advised me when I was trying to decide on a law school. He helped modify my interest in politics. And when my law partnership broke up, he was there with some excellent career guidance. I would not have been working in my current job without his good words.
Last year the professional circle came full cycle. My nephew's wife was hired as an associate with the silk stocking law firm where Wendell was a senior partner.
And he has now died -- two weeks after my birthday.
I will drive to the memorial service in Portland this afternoon. And another circle will close.
In 1966 I accompanied Wendell and Chuck to a dedication of a chapel at a local Catholic college. He had been instrumental in obtaining funds for the building. Today his memorial service will be held in that same building.
And that may be the most bittersweet memory of all.
There was no particular reason why I should have known him. But life is based on the same coincidences that morph novels into page turners.
The year was 1964. I was a sophomore in high school, and was developing an interest in politics and law. My parents' lawyer just happened to be the campaign manager for a colleague who was running for Congress that year -- and the connection was made.
Wendell Wyatt was elected to Congress that year, and we became friends. Whenever I was in Washington, I could drop in and see him. When he was in the district, I would occasionally ride around with him and his district manager: Chuck Hoyt.
He advised me when I was trying to decide on a law school. He helped modify my interest in politics. And when my law partnership broke up, he was there with some excellent career guidance. I would not have been working in my current job without his good words.
Last year the professional circle came full cycle. My nephew's wife was hired as an associate with the silk stocking law firm where Wendell was a senior partner.
And he has now died -- two weeks after my birthday.
I will drive to the memorial service in Portland this afternoon. And another circle will close.
In 1966 I accompanied Wendell and Chuck to a dedication of a chapel at a local Catholic college. He had been instrumental in obtaining funds for the building. Today his memorial service will be held in that same building.
And that may be the most bittersweet memory of all.
