Christopher Faye
January 28, 2002
9010
Village Drive
San
Antonio, Texas 78217
Dear
Bob and Erika,
At
a time like this, I’m sure that your mind has been flooded with many thoughts.
I’m
sure we share some of those thoughts.
Our
knowledge that Vernon is in a better place, and that his entrance to that place
was not accompanied by extended suffering is a cause of Christian rejoicing.
The
death of a parent particularly one that was such a wonderful father is an
occasion that can never be easy for his child. Irrespective of the
inevitability of his passing, irrespective of his wonderful avoidance of
protracted suffering in his passing, irrespective of our Christian knowledge of
the wonderful place in which you will have your reunion with both your parents,
for the rest of your life you will own a special place in which their memory
will always live. It is also in this place that you will always miss them.
A
Christian’s passing is always a bittersweet occasion. Even Christ wept at the
tomb of his friend.
I’m
sure that at the funeral a number of Vernon’s old friends and acquaintances
came to you and volunteered some story about Vernon. I would liked to have been
a member of that group—unfortunately it was not to be. But I would like to join
that group now. As you know, over a number of years I had the experience to be
present at a number of business meetings in which Vernon was a most active
participant.
Before
I tell you about those meetings, let me provide you with my theories as to why
he was so effective in business.
Psychologists
tell us about the profound influence of our early years. My mother told me many
years ago that Vernon was raised on a farm. My mother also told me that Vernon
lost his father when he was quite young. If there is someone who has to be
practical, it is a farmer. I am used to the corporate culture. Something goes
wrong, we call a CPA, we call an attorney, we call an architect, etc. Contrast
that with life on the farm. Something goes wrong on a farm; the farmer not only
figures out a practical way to remedy the problem, but then he goes and fixes
it. But the emphasis on being practical and effective must have been all the
more significant to a family who had lost their father—a family that probably
had an all too real fear of economic disaster.
As
I look back on Vernon’s many business insights and contributions flowing
therefrom, I remember that his ideas and suggestions were not only practical,
but when put in place were effective.
A
little background about the business: You probably know better than I that
Vernon did not have an easy job. But his job was absolutely essential if the
business was going to work. What he did was so broad in scope that the
following description will not do it justice. He essentially recruited,
trained, and maintained supervision over individuals who were service station
operators and bulk plant agents. This work was rendered more complex in that
these operations covered a broad geographic area. In addition to all this, he
conducted frequent periodic audits of our inventories. He also engaged in a
number of other activities. I suppose the best way to cover those activities
would be to say it as follows: Vernon tackled whatever needed to be done. He
would drive bulk trucks, gasoline transports, help figure out what repairs
should be made, in some cases make those repairs, determine when new
construction should be entered into, what expansion should be engaged in, etc.
You name it, he probably did it.
And
he did it in such a way as to maintain good will. His ability to deal with
people was essential to keeping our service station operators and bulk agents.
I remember the first time I encountered Vernon in a business setting. I was
essentially a silent and remarkably ignorant member of a meeting that took
place between Martin and Vernon. I was much impressed with Vernon’s
encyclopedic knowledge of every issue and the probable consequences of every
alternative that we might pursue.
Earlier
I suggested that Vernon’s ability was a product of his childhood. I think
that’s true, but it’s naturally not the whole story. As you know so well,
Vernon had a keen intellect, a probing mind, and the kind of curiosity that
inevitably results in its owner gaining knowledge.
Having
the privilege of knowing both of your parents Bob, I have to tell you that I am
not surprised at the incredible, and creative, display of learning that you
have set forth on the Internet. There is an old saying to the effect that the
acorn does not fall too far from the tree. Your career has validated that
saying once again.
May God be with you and
yours,
Chris and Ruth
P.S.
I am enclosing a booklet authored by my father. I think you may find it
comforting. The booklet is also
available on the Web at http://www.learnaboutjesus.com/laj/conversation.php
P.P.S.
My mother told me that when Vernon was still in his highchair, he could
identify the owners of automobiles that happened to drive by their farm simply
by the sound of their cars. I’m not clear as to all that implications of that
kind of feat, but at the vary least it would suggest a very alert infant who
was planning on going into the petroleum industry.