Tribute Sample: Neighbor

Author: Alyice Edrich

Eulogy: A formal expression of honoring someone in your life.

In Honor Of Wilbur Bos

Last night we learned that our next door neighbor passed away on Saturday evening. He died of a heart attack. This afternoon, we visited with his grieving widow, his grand-daughter, and his son. We were privileged to read the epiphany one of his grandson’s wrote about him and to receive a copy of his memorial flyer.

The irony of it all is that I had a feeling something wasn’t right when I saw several cars parked outside their home the passed two days, but I chocked it up to overacting and assumed they were simply celebrating life. Little did I know the life they were celebrating was the one that entered heaven’s gate only three days prior.

Wilbur Bos was a very active 76 year old man who lived life the way we only dream. According to his loved ones, Wilbur Bos valued people and always went out of his way to make everyone he met feel special. He believed in doing what you love for a living because when you do what you love, time flies by, you never resent the task at hand, and you live a happier, more fulfilled life.

As I read the epiphany his grandson had written, tears streamed down my face. Not because of how moving the words were (though they were), but because a great man was going to be truly missed. As I read the epiphany, I couldn’t help but think how truly blessed his children, grandchildren, and wife were. Not only did he enrich their lives and make each one of them feel special, valued, and loved, but he passed on a legacy—a legacy that says three things: do what you love, never live with regrets, and always go the extra mile to make people feel special.

I remember when we first moved to South Dakota. Wilbur came over as we were unpacking and introduced himself. A few days later, we needed a part to make our dryer work. My husband showed him the part and he went right into his garage and pulled the part out of a box and said, “This should do the trick.”

Every time he saw my husband coming or going, he would walk over to his car and talk to him for a good ten to fifteen minutes—just to say hello and let my husband know someone was thinking of him. Every time he saw my kids, he’d call them over to his house then present them with several lollipops—just to brighten their day.

The more we got to know him and his wife, the more we felt blessed to live next door to them. We promised to get together this summer to host a few family barbeques—sadly, we’ll never to get experience fellowship with him in this manner.

As you read this today, I ask that you please keep his wife in your prayers. She’ll need renewed strength every day to move on without him—they were married for over 58 years.