In Memoriam 2011
In Memoriam 2011
I am saddened to have just learned of the death of a long ago friend, Mercer G. Rhodes Jr. It seems but a precious moment from now to remembering back in time when we met in Madison Park where I was living and soon found ourselves on a sailing trip on his friend’s yacht. I can see from memorial comments that the waterways and mountains of the Pacific Northwest were an inspiration his entire life.
He had come to Seattle to work in sales for IBM at its new iconic building. Dusty was witty, intelligent and strikingly handsome. Before he left on a Christmas ski vacation in Colorado he gave me a gift of Joy perfume and I gave him a book of poetry. On the wall in his room was a poster of Mont Saint-Michel, France which became a symbolic reminder that I had to travel too. When I was living in New York he wanted me to meet his father so I visited him at his home in exclusive Bronxville, N.Y. I had brought him and his wife Jean a vase from my visit to Rhodes, Greece. Mercer Sr. was a lovely man who exuded a gentlemanly elegance. To get back into Manhattan he insisted on having his driver take me there.
When I heard of Dusty’s death I imagined the inconsolable loss of his friends closer in present time and that they too will carry his memory forever as a treasure. In this time of sorrow the memories came flooding back and I realize that it was the confidence of his personality which informed my life like a spiritual gift. I would have wanted to have talked with Mercer a last time before he passed away. I could have told him of his influence and that the ideas generated will carry on. My subsequent studies became fine arts and intellectual history.
In trying to reach out in remembrance the poet’s words came to mind:
Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past….
But only in time can the moment in the rose-garden,
Be remembered; involved with past and future.
Only through time time is conquered. T.S. Eliot
Hope always flies on the wings of the dove. Rest in peace sweet soul.
Tribute from: Judith “Judy” Rasmussen Adam