In Part I, there is a picture with the caption, “What is It?”. Maybe you weren’t fooled ..
It was merely a garden ornament masquerading as a miniature planet (somewhat earth-like).
The Power of Love (from the Back to the Future soundtrack)
What’s the Big Deal?
OK, so what, the federal government decided to imprison a lot of people against their will because they might be a threat to America. That seems reasonable and justifiable, right? Obviously, not the power of love.
I had to think about what all of it meant to me after I started reading Jan Russell’s book, which as I said before, is really quite interesting and revealing. Note the following passage from her book. Go to Amazon if you want to snag a copy.
“By August 1945, the machinery of internment implemented during the run-up to the war in December 1941, was already being taken apart. Already many of the fifty-four internment camps operated by the US military and the thirty camps operated by the Immigration and Naturalization Service had shut down. The camp at Crystal City, the only family camp, was still open, but with a reduced population That summer 2,548 Japanese, 756 Germans, and 12 Italian internees were left.”
The author estimated that there were approximately 6,000 internees incarcerated at Crystal City during its six years of operation. It was officially closed on February 27, 1948. I had just turned three at the time and was living in Texas.
In her preface to the book, the author talks about the 120,000 Japanese (62% of them American-born) who were forcibly evacuated from the Pacific coast after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She also talks about the executive order signed by President Roosevelt, which permitted the secretary of war to arrest and incarcerate Japanese, Germans, and Italians who had been declared “enemy aliens”.
Just an aside, as you mull over the previous two paragraphs, I want to comment on the effort and methods used to write the book, which author Russell describes in detail in the sources and notes. As a writer, I thoroughly appreciate the effort it took to compile the information. Interestingly, another book, Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, also involved internment during World War II and was very well-researched and written and also relied heavily on personal interviews.
It Is a Big Deal!
The answer of course is yes, it is a big deal. I may do more Crystal City installments, after going through the book in more detail and gaining more insights into how I feel about what happened and how I should respond. OK, it was just plain wrong, all of it – there, I’ve said it. Am I going to recommend to others how they should respond? No, it’s up to each individual to make up their mind how to respond.
Back to the Future Main Theme (City of Prague Philharmonic)
A Quick Tour of Washington and Yamhill Counties in Oregon
Professor Harry Alexander Deans, born June 17, 1932, died December 22, 2014
“. . . and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
About Harry Deans
Harry was a man of tremendous kindness. Though quiet by disposition he never failed to provide a big smile and hug, usually with a heartfelt chuckle. He was a man of powerful intellect and commitment that preferred being in the background unless you needed him, as still water runs deep. There is no doubt his daily example of unconditional love will live on within his family and never be forgotten. We will miss him so very much.
“You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” (Psalm 39:5)
Harry was born on June 17, 1932, in Dallas, Texas, to parents Herbert and Marie (Cooke) Deans. Harry completed North Dallas High School before attending Rice University at age 16, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. He pursued and earned his PhD from Princeton University in Chemical Engineering. He was an outstanding student and a Rhodes Scholar.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” (Luke 12:22)
Harry spent most of his lifetime mentoring his students. He joined Rice University as a professor where he was awarded the most prestigious Brown Award for teaching at spring graduation in 1974. After 25 years, he joined the faculty at the University of Houston in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering for eight years. He spent three years at Exxon Production Research in Houston before moving to a tenured position at the University of Wyoming for his last twelve years. He was recognized as Emeritus when retiring to University of Texas in 2000. Harry was known in the petroleum engineering field as the inventor of enhanced oil production techniques.
“. . . that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” (John 3:15)
In addition to his professional activities, Harry was known to his students and colleagues as “Daddy Deans”. He enjoyed his young family with Karolyn, losing his son Sam at age 6, fostering Laurie’s interest in science, assisting Daniel in building his airplanes, urging Melissa to enjoy reading, and sharing his wit with Andrew, a standup comedian. Harry married Delora Elizabeth Deans on January 1, 1975, in Taos, New Mexico. He was “daddy” to Gregory Buckles who followed him to Rice and to Deborah Buckles Kimball, a national sales representative. He always supported daughter Catherine Marie in her artistic vocal endeavors. His twelve grandchildren have found him to be a remarkable model and constant supporter of their interests.
“. . . but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Harry was a member of the Episcopal Church where he served as an usher and greeter. He maintained an interest in reading, music, skiing, hiking, and being outdoors enjoying nature. His love of flying flourished in Wyoming where he piloted the Scary Hairy Airlines with his Bonanza.
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death,” (1 John 3:14)
He will be fondly missed by his wife of 40 years, Beth Deans, residing on their mini ranch in Georgetown, Texas. Harry is survived by his wife, a sister, two daughters, two sons, a step-son, and a step-daughter and their families including twelve grandchildren.
“The grass wither and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
Tributes and Remembrances
Tribute, son Dan, Sunday, January 18, 2015:
It is a true honor to stand here this afternoon and share remembrances of my Dad, Harry Deans, and we truly appreciate all of you giving of your time today to be here, thank you for your grace. On behalf of his current wife of 40 years, Beth, his first wife 17 years, Karolyn, his children Laurie, Sam, Greg, Debbie, Melissa, Drew, Cathie and his 12 Grandchildren Kayleigh, Paige, Nicole, Collin, Cameron, Jonathan, Alex, Will, Daniel, Elizabeth, Tristan, and Matthew, and his sons-in-law Mark, Bill, John and Jim, and daughter-in-law Cathy, it is a privilege to share remembrances.
I want to first give God the glory, and to thank Him for sending His son Jesus Christ to be the propitiation for our sins. There is no gift greater than that, and I am completely certain in God’s sovereignty, over this sad loss to our family, and to all other situations – He reigns over Heaven and earth, and I am grateful for the saving knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Harry Deans was a loving husband and a father, he was a caring teacher, a brilliant engineer and researcher, and he was an avid outdoorsman and adventurer, and more importantly, he cared about his family, friends and students, and that point has been made quite clear given the outpouring of wonderful comments, stories, and care that we have experienced over the last several weeks. We have been so blessed to hear how Pop affected others in their life journeys, and he seemed to do so in a quiet and humble way.
Pop was brilliant, I used to tease him that he had a 2000 lb brain, and that he had a beautiful mind. He was the first engineer I ever met, and along with many others that he taught, I was inspired into my career because of him. He was always patient in explaining to us how the process worked, and describing his work. We had no idea how complex the process of oil extraction was, and even that there was a need for enhanced oil recovery, but Pop was a giant in that field, and has done a large service to the world in advancing the technology of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering.
He was inventive, with more than 15 patents that I am aware of, with one of the most important process enhancements being the single well tracer test that has made such an impact on the oil and gas industry. He has been featured on the National News, been around the world, and has passionately worked with many colleagues and scholars to advance the state of the discipline in enhanced oil recovery.
Pop was extremely confident, and could be very stubborn as well; He was so very sure in everything he took on.
He was a tactician – he always tackled a problem very methodically. He identified all boundaries, and solved the problem deliberately.
My Pop was creative and artistic, which is unusual for someone who had such a technical talent. He had the unending ability to tell stories and generate plots and intrigue on the fly – everyone one of his kids coveted the famous bed time stories that he told about the internationally known child agents George and Alice. We all looked forward to bedtime, because Pop would get us tucked in and sit there and till we fell asleep telling us rich stories about the adventures of those two. And it did not stop with us; he carried on that tradition with his grandkids. He cared about his kids and grandkids.
Pop loved music, but not just any music, but all kinds of classical, and was very passionate about classical music. He would sing along, whistle, and you could just see the passion in his eyes and his face has he was enjoying all kinds of music. Again, I am convinced that several of us, including my sister Cathie, myself, my son Collin, and several of Cathie’s kids along with others inherited that passion for music and for making music.
My beautiful wife Catherine pointed out that he had a love for food, and was passionate about dining well. She does not ever remember him eating fast food, and while I can’t confirm or deny that, he was constantly giving me pointers on my ordering etiquette, like the time I wanted a hamburger in a Chinese restaurant. That was not allowed….
Pop was sporting and enjoyed many sports, especially baseball, football, basketball and golf. He took time to throw the baseball with his kids, and to attend their sporting events. He loved to hike in the mountains, and climbed many peaks.
He had a love of airplanes, from building models to flying. I spent a lot of time in the air with Pop, and he was my inspiration for learning to fly and for the love that I have for all things in air and space.
I have much more I could say, and would continue, but interest of time I will close with two scriptures. James encouraged us to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” I am choosing joy this morning in remembering our Pop. Also, the author of Hebrews wrote: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” We are only given a finite amount of time on this earth, and given that we don’t know how long that is, I am encouraged by my Dad’s life and I am hopeful to affect as many in a positive way while I am here as he did.
Thank you for the opportunity to share today, and Pop, I love you with my whole heart, and I am grateful to be your son, as I know your other children and grandchildren are grateful as well. In the wise wise words of Job: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Remembrance, brother-in-law, Bernie:
Life happens, people we love leave, sometimes suddenly, and we don’t have a chance to say goodbye. It’s tough. The next best thing is to remember them in moments of laughter or having dinner with them, or talking, or walking. Maybe it was a kind gesture, a thank you, a word of encouragement, or a thoughtful gift. Think about the cascade of goodness that resulted from their influence. How many of us would regret a life of positive influence that we experienced, or being able to say, ‘see my son or my daughter or my spouse or my friend, I was there for them when they needed me.’ I think I can honestly say that Harry Deans was a person in my life who I’ll always remember for his positive effect on me and for the others whose lives he touched.
To me running always seemed like a perfect metaphor for life, you start here and you finish there. I remember running with Harry Deans in the summer of 2001 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He and his wife Beth, my sister, would rent a condo there every summer for a couple of months to relax and enjoy the sunshine. They invited me to come visit, so I drove over from Oregon. I had a good time with Beth and Harry bumming around Steamboat, going up to the mountaintop and into town to shop. I had known Harry for years since he and Beth got married, and we got to visit more often when we all lived in Houston. After I moved my family to Oregon, our visits were much less frequent, but it was always fun to go back. I remember flying with Harry on one trip. I had flown into the Denver airport, and we flew to Cheyenne where Beth and Harry lived at the time. I thought he was a very good pilot.
This is Part I about Harry’s life and is intended to introduce some thoughts about him and his passing on December 22, 2014. In Part II, I hope to include more about Harry’s life and to include remembrances of Harry from family and friends. I will say that my own remembrances of Harry are good ones, and I’m glad that he was part of my life. I’ll miss him.
blazinbernie
Looking for a Rufous 