Karen Fields Studios

This is a piece I did today in honor of a physician assistant who recently passed away.


FAREWELL KEN

By John Padgett PA-C, Ph.D.

It was one of those beautiful fall days when we gathered to say goodbye to Ken Gartzke. The mountains surrounding Arvada, Colorado were still green in their early fall foliage, with traces of snow far above. The sun was warm, the day weighing lightly.

Ken was in his casket at the front of the room, flower tributes stating sympathy and farewell. He was dressed in his Army mess dress uniform, his medals appropriate, and a Veteran's Caucus pin on his right breast. He looked peaceful. To his left and right were photographs of Ken at various times in his life, from infancy to shortly before his passing. I particularly liked the one of him as a young child aboard a rearing horse, smiling broadly. The photo of the Usual Suspects of the Veteran's Caucus in Orlando from a few years ago was also on display.

As Vicki and I were in the vestibule awaiting the start of the service, we heard it: the sound of rolling thunder. Up the main street came a formation of dozens of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, their riders and passengers all in colors, the engines emitting their unmistakable rumble. The formation turned into the mortuary parking lot and the riders dismounted and filed respectfully into the chapel to pay their last respects to "Doc" Gartzke.

As Ken was a man of many interests, so were those represented at his funeral. There were family and friends, fellow members of the health care team, veterans, bowling buddies, the motorcycle club, the Elks, and the Caucus. Ken's life touched many people, and it showed.

After the remarks, the mourners filed by Ken's casket. Some of them left little mementos: a motorcycle pin, a patch, a flower, a subdued Army warrant officer pin.

After the service Ken was escorted to the Ft. Logan National Cemetery by a police motorcycle escort, as well as his club's motorcycle escort and the traditional limos and an assortment of pickups and cars.

He was interred on that beautiful early fall day, the mournful sounds of the trumpet carried off by the gentle breeze to the surrounding mountains.

Donations may be made to the Veterans Caucus for the Ken Gartzke Scholarship Fund. (P O Box 362, Danville, PA 17821)