Gone From My Sight by Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

 Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."

 Gone where?

 Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,

hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

 And that is dying...

Robert John Meinert, 75, passed away in his home, just after 10 pm on January 10th, surrounded by his family. Bob had been living with pulminary fibrosis for several years and over the past few months it has taken its course. Robert was the beloved husband of Patrica, father of Sherron (Rob Morrison), Nancy (Steve) Atkinson, Bob (Teresa) Meinert, and grandfather of Haley (Benjamin Durham), Amy (Brian Barnes), Josh (Bridget) Meinert and Tony Meinert. He is also survived by his loving sister Jane Sokol and her family.

Bob was born on September 2nd, 1940 in St Louis, Missouri. He married Patricia Buehler, April 8th, 1961. Bob and Pat moved with their three children, Sherron, Nancy and Bob, to Portland, Oregon, in January 1970. Bob was working as an accountant with Wagner Electric in St. Louis and requested a transfer after falling in love with Portland on a business trip. Bob made Oregon his home, enjoying trips to the coast, the mountains and enjoyed helping others discover the beauty of his beloved home as a Boy Scout Troop Leader, Little League Coach, and driver for Hood to Coast race.

Bob owned Riverside Autoparts in Sellwood for ten years, through the 1980's. While running the store he began serving the local Sellwood community as board member for the Sellwood-Moreland Lions club and served as their president from 1991-1993. Additionally he volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels and continued to deliver food and hope for nearly thirty years.

Bob's commitment to his family and community was unwavering. He dedicated himself to providing the same opportunites and priveleges that he was given to those who were less fortunate. One of his greatest legacies is over twenty years of service with Rebuilding Together Washington County. As a volunteer, project leader, and later chapter president for two terms, Bob prepared homes for families in need of a fresh start. He invited his family and friends to be a part of the mission.

Not only was Bob recognized for his service by Rebuilding Together, and as a Melvin Jones Fellow for his humaitarian services with the Lions, he also leaves a legacy of service and generosity instilled in each of his children and four grandchildren, Haley, Josh, Amy, and Tony. His grandchildren continue his legacy of service; Haley has been teaching in a low income community for several years, Josh volunteers with the youth in his community, Amy is pursuing a career in counseling and Tony will be serving our country in the Air Force.

In lieu of sending flowers we ask that you would make a donation to either Rebuilding Together Washington County (http://www.togwc.org/donate/) or Care Partners Hospice (http://hospicepalliativeportland.org/).