(Column) This is the Life: Fitting tribute for good friend

By Lorne Eckersley
Creston Valley Advance

The aura emanating from the Creston and District Community Complex on Sunday evening was palpable. Like most communities, here in Creston we too often wait too long to celebrate those who contribute to our individual and collective betterment. But, thanks to the hard work of a handful of friends, we didn’t make that mistake with Harry Haberstock.

The Creston Room was packed with Harry’s family, parishioners, friends and well wishers and, as we left the building after nearly five hours of focus on a man who I am proud to call a friend, I tried, unsuccessfully, to recall a more soul-satisfying event.

Harry and Mary Haberstock came to Creston 40 years ago and Harry has been the Creston Valley’s Lutheran pastor ever since. He is a clearly a loved and admired, even revered, figure among those who attend Redeemer Lutheran Church. But as I surveyed the several hundred who had gathered to celebrate his retirement, I was struck by the cross-section of our community in attendance. Young and old, and every age between, they represented virtually every faith. There were plenty of non-affiliated folks there, too.

It was touching to see the entire Haberstock family — save a granddaughter who stayed back to play in a soccer game — gathered to see a husband, father and grandfather honoured by a profoundly loving community. No doubt each person in attendance could have cited a deep and abiding connection to this man who has dedicated so much time and effort to make life a better one for all.

I have known Harry best through our many shared years in the Creston Rotary Club. He was the second president club president after I joined Rotary, following a two-year presidency by Dan Miller. From Dan and Harry I learned about the importance of sharing, leading and working selflessly so that others might someday live as well and healthily as many of us do as Canadians. In Harry’s life as a Rotarian he has acted no differently than he has in his roles with his church, or hospice, or as a driving force behind Pioneer Villa and the addiction recovery centre, or as a loving husband and father, as a doctorate student, or even as a hockey referee. Harry Haberstock puts his heart and soul into everything he does and never asks more of others than he himself is willing to give.

In the weddings and funerals I have attended with Harry officiating, I have never come away without a sense of wonder that he could make each unique and memorable. When an elderly developmentally delayed man whom Angela and I spent years caring for passed away some years ago, we naturally turned to Harry. We will never forget the compassion and caring with which he conducted the funeral, delivering a deeply moving eulogy for a man whom he knew only to see.

There is much comfort in living in a community that supports and comforts and nurtures its own. Thanks to friends, family and members of the Redeemer Lutheran Church congregation, Sunday evening was Harry Habertstock’s opportunity to for once be on the receiving end of its generosity.

Because there is not yet a replacement for Dr. Harry at the church just yet, he is at this time only semi-retiring. It’s a slow and apt exit for a man who, in all fairness, will never really be replaced. Dylan Thomas would approve, as Harry Haberstock will undoubtedly rage against the dying light. He will, because that is his way, “not go gentle into that good night.”