Friend from CPE

Pat Weatherwax
Kalamazoo, MI
Colleague from Pine Rest Mental Health Hospital


I met Ted when we were both in our first unit of CPE at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Hospital, in the summer of 2004. We were assigned to the same unit, which was one of the most acute areas of the hospital. (I called it "double-locked and segregated.") I had just graduated from Western Seminary and I believe Ted had just finished his first year at Calvin. We spent the summer learning how to be chaplains in some very difficult surroundings. Ted was always so gentle, respectful and low key with the patients, even when they were not rational or respectful towards him.

I remember, and maybe always will remember when it was his first turn to lead the worship services- preaching for the 3 acute units. We'd do the same service at 9, 10, and 11 AM, in pairs without any chaplain supervisors. Ted asked very seriously how he should prepare. I said "Oh, just pull one out of your file, that's what I did". Ted's answer, at that point, early in his career was "Well, I don't really have a file, I've never done this before". So maybe I heard him preach for the first time, I don't know. I do know he brought in a budding branch and used Jesus' "I am the vine" message, to show how we are connected to God. It was peaceful and clear.

Sometimes I'd drive Ted to the nearest bus stop; he'd never let me drive him all the way home because it was out of my way. But he'd know those bus schedules!

I grieve the world's loss of this gifted young chaplain, and pray for his family and friends.

Pat Weatherwax