[Previous entry: "Funeral, reception and the last few hours"]
04/06/2008: "Yesterday's Memorial"
Thank you to everyone who came to the Mass and memorial reception yesterday! It was great to see people that I haven't seen in years come to support me and the family. Rock would have been so thrilled that we filled the church with people saying good-bye. We were so happy with the Mass and how Father Denny made it so personal for Rock - Heather, with the beautiful soprano voice brought tears to my eyes during Ave Maria.
Thank you also for your warm wishes and condolences throughout these last few weeks - they have been a huge comfort to all of us. I haven't been able to sit down and look at the memory board yet but I'm sure when I'm ready for a good cry, I will get there, and share some of the entries on this blog.
As Rock's brother Chris suggested during the service, everyone would love to read your favorite memory of Rock - please share via a comment if you would like.
Replies: 8 Comments
on Friday, May 9th, Chris C said
What can you say about Rock, everyone loved him.
It's taken a while to find the words to say how much I will miss him.We were not related but growing up together at the river makes you blood.
Please continue what he started with this blog. I agree with Warren, there is only one word to sum this up
on Monday, April 14th, Debra Metzger said
Oh it never ceases to amaze me that I learn so very much much more about a person after they are gone!!!! The memories and comments are just wonderful and incredible!! I have to add that I so enjoyed seeing the paintings recently that Rock had done, a very multi-talented man for sure!!
on Friday, April 11th, Dawn Shaw said
Jeanette - you did such a beautiful job planning the memorial for Rock - it was such a wonderful service and incredible reception - your labor of love to your eternal sweetheart would make him very proud.
Rock was salt of the earth kind of guy - he will be sorely sorely missed - we love you - the Shaw's.
on Wednesday, April 9th, Chris said
I met Doug many years ago (20?)when he arrived at Campolindo to teach Math. We fellow teachers and his students quickly discoverd what a delightful person he was. I gave him my computer classes so I could teach another subject and, boy, did he take off with computers.
During those years, I enjoyed his company, his music and his jokes.
Later, we reconnected with more serious issues. I also have an autistic child. Over the last seven years, we both struggled and worked to help our kids. Doug had a strong bond with and a great love for Alex. He cared for her deeply and he did everything he could to help her. His committment to try anything and everything inspired me to keep at it with my son. Doug was tenacious which is precisely what is needed to get help for an autistic child.
Alex was lucky to have a father like Doug. She will miss him as we all do.
Alex is lucky to have two more people that love her in Jeanette and Nick. I hope the rest of us can be there to help them battle this lifetime disability of austism. The cliche "it takes a village" is actually appropriate for this struggle.
Also, I hope Jeanette will call on us for help when those times come.
on Monday, April 7th, Augie said
Jeanette,
Saturday was such a beautiful day for all to say farewell to Doug. Doug's brother was so right when he said
"Doug helped us get through his illness"
He is an inspiration to me and always will be. I was able to talk to him a short time ago and told him how much I appreciated him in my life. He turned it right around and made me feel like he was the one who appreceated me. That was Doug!!! I'm training to hike the Grand Canyon in May to raise money for the Cancer Society. Doug was one of my first contrbuters. I have the picture of Doug running attached to my pack for all my training Hikes and will honor him on my 3 day Canyon hike down to the bottom and up again. I also feel that you are an inspiration to all of us.
Love to you all
Augie
on Monday, April 7th, Warren Prouty said
I would like to thank everyone who introduced themselve to me at the service. I have always been a proud brother but to hear the accolades from others outside my circle of friends and family brought a sense of pride and admiration for Rock that will live in my heart forever. You are all my brothers and sisters now.
on Monday, April 7th, Jan Half said
Jeanette-
It was a beautiful service and memorial reception. It was a great idea to have the memory table with a long scroll of paper on it with the "did you know" section.
Thank you for displaying the poem I wrote about Doug 2 years ago. I am so glad that I was able to share it with him at that time and with you and others now.
An Appreciation Poem to Doug Prouty from Jan Half (.5)
There is an outstanding specialist in educational technology
Known all over California; his name is Doug Prouty.
I met Doug in the late 90’s, when he worked in Pleasant Hill,
At the Contra Costa County Office of Education, or COE, if you will.
In the nearly 10 years since I’ve known this amazing Doug,
He’s designed web sites, installed networks, and many a plug;
Doug often would demonstrate useful web resources at meetings of BARC.
At CUE conference Technology Leaders Forums, he received high marks.
As you probably know, Doug compiled many ideas on The Snorkel website;
A useful resource for tech coordinators and teachers using bits and bytes.
Doug has presented at many conferences: NECC, Tech Ed, CEDPA, and CUE:
Digital Camera & Writing Skills, Math on Internet, Wireless Networks, too.
At the most recent CUE conference in Santa Clara, California north,
Doug arranged for laptops; he would go between rooms, back and forth.
As a trainer and staff developer, Doug is one of the best;
Whether Data and Classroom Instruction, Web Searches, or any of the rest.
Doug wrote How to be a Successful Tech Coordinator – at least 10 Ways:
Leadership, communication, staff development, tech support on many days.
Doug demonstrated these qualities and inspired many others as well;
Just look at all the educators he influenced, these strategies, he did tell.
I was thrilled to have a fellow northern Californian on the board of CUE
To discuss membership benefits, marketing, and other topics, too.
At a board dinner in Oakland, I sat and talked with Doug and his wife.
How great to learn of his work in Austria and more personal side of his life.
Doug – your inspiration and passion for students and teachers is first rate.
You have made a long-lasting impact with educators all over this state.
We applaud your courage, optimism, and sense of humor, too.
I and many others are so glad to have met and been influenced by you.
March 2006
on Sunday, April 6th, Mischa said
Hey Jeanette and everyone,
It was beautiful day and we sure celebrated Rock!! As Robert Earl Keen says, "the road goes on forever and the party never ends.." It was really great to meet people whose names I have read on the blog all these years and literally put a face to the name. I think Doug would have loved that. It was bittersweet to have the day come to an end. Spending time with friends, family and colleagues was much needed and appreciated. Thank you to all who opened their homes and hearts to Tim, Colin and I.
I have many favorite memories, but one of the best was when we(Jeanette, Nick, Emily, Colin and I)repeatedly chased Doug down on his bike in the Sentinel Triathlon on Highway 1 and pulled over on the side of the road and cheered mightily as he passed us up. All of those triathlon memories will live in my heart forever, as will Doug.
Please come and visit us in Santa Cruz/Watsonville. We have extra beds and would love any opportunity to spend time with people who loved Rock and Rock loved.
