CUTSHALL EULOGY

EULOGY FOR CUTSHALL

Dear Carol Anne:

            Your Dad was my friend. I don’t use the term friend lightly. In my 70 plus years I count the people I call friend on one hand. I have always been attracted to people who were hedonistic enough to be fun, intelligent enough to be interesting, altruistic enough to be trusted. Your Dad more than adequately met all these criteria.  Even though we were separated by physical distance, we maintained a friendship for over 50 years

            My first encounter with your Dad was in the Army, stationed in Germany.  They were good times.  We were young; had no responsibilities except our military duty, and found ourselves in a new and exciting environment.  We didn’t take the military to seriously, but took our work as important and stimulating.  Our unit was a diverse cast of characters, most with 3 digit I.Q’s.  Your Dad was among them, although he liked to hide his mentality behind a “Good Old boy/Cowboy” persona.

            Unlike many GI’s, your Dad and I took advantage of our all expense paid sabbatical in Europe.  Your Dad taught himself a fair command of the German language.  I am relatively passive in nature therefore with your Dad’s outgoing nature we formed a formidable partnership.  As comrades-in-arms we had many adventures.  A few he wouldn’t want his offspring to know about (or mine for that matter).  We saw a good deal of Europe from our motorcycles.  We put on our cowboy boots and went to the Opera and Ballet.  We spent many a night around a gasthaus table talking philosophy, literature, nature and telling assorted lies about our past.  I regret not setting down with your Dad and recording these memories.  But in the end all we have left is our memories.

            Our friendship at this time resulted in two major influences in our lives.  First, Your Dad arranged the initial date with my wife of over 50 years.  We all worked in the same office; Jack, Marianne and myself.  Jack and Marianne were on the committee to arrange the office Christmas party.  Your Dad suggested I escort Marianne to the party. The rest as they say “is history”.  Second, I believe I was a major influence in convincing your Dad to return to University and get his degree in Range Management.  He went on in this field to distinguish himself as an authority in marshland ecology and president of the Louisiana State Cattleman’s Association.

            After the military we went our separate ways. Even though distance, work, family, culture, politics separated us, we kept in touch over the years.  There were Christmas letters (which your Dad never answered), evening long phone calls and occasional visits.  The parting words were always “Keep in touch” and we did over many years.

            I have only good memories of your Dad. You probably have some bad memories related to his alcoholism. I am possibly one of the few people to know of the depth of his addiction. I also have great admiration for his courage, character, and tenacity to control this curse.

 It was privilege to have your father as my friend.

 

Sincerely:  Fred Winkler