As Lew Helgeson informed many of you in a message dated March 11, 2009, he, Margene Gerton-Rivara, Tim Hunt, and Jim Krause have joined forces to serve as your Publius to send periodic updates regarding our former pastor and ever-present friend, Bob Vogt. As members of the Pleasanton Presbyterian community, past and present, many of you ask about Bob's health and well-being. Like all of us, Bob is aging and is dealing with an increasing number of health-related issues. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep this long-standing community of Christians current regarding Bob's life.

Knowing that there others among us who are also managing health issues, we have decided to broaden the scope of this publication a bit to include long-time congregants who are likely to be known by a large majority of our readers. This publication is not meant to be all-inclusive and it will not likely become a long-term source of information. Those tasks would simply be too difficult and time demanding for this group to carry out. You will see a section of the website that focuses on Carolyn Helgeson. This will also be a regular source of information.

Bob has asked Margene and Jim if they would be primary organizers of a memorial service to take place in the valley upon his death. Since Bob has no blood relatives in the Bay Area, these two "children of the church" have joyously agreed to carry out Bob's wish.

The newsletter will serve several purposes:

First and foremost, it is a source of news about Bob.

Second, it is a vehicle to collect information from you, the reader.

If you have a special memory or story about Bob, please send it to Jim Krause or Margene Gerton-Rivara. This will allow Margene and Jim to use the information in a variety of contexts. (Their email addresses are in the list at the bottom of the web page on Bob).

Third, the newsletter will request assistance from you, as various tasks are required.

Someday, we will be conducting a memorial service for Bob. It will be held at the Livermore Presbyterian Church. Since Jim lives in Los Angeles, he and Margene will be asking for your assistance with a variety of tasks as they become necessary.

January – December 2008

2008 was a year filled with changes for Bob and Virginia. Bob fell several times with Virginia sending him off to the hospital, often in the middle of the night. In spite of the falls (no broken bones) Bob will tell you that he has been quite fine and fairly stable. Bob's now famous statement "…but I'm not sick" has been an indicator of his determination (some might say stubbornness) to continue experiencing a full and energetic life. The year held many joys as there were still outings to Bob's beloved symphony, special events with family, and visits from long-time friends from Pleasanton.

Indeed, Bob was not really ill during most of 2008. He was passing out on a fairly regular basis, he had several urinary tract infections along with a few other inconvenient problems, but he was not "sick" in his new and now classic definition of the term. He didn't have a cold, didn't have the flu, and didn't have pneumonia. "Sure I'm falling on my head, but I'm not sick."

Intellectually, the year 2008 was no different than any other in Bob's 85 years. Always curious, always up-to-date on current events, still an avid reader of the New York Times, always pugnacious with respect to governmental policy (OK, political head-bashing), he followed the news and the presidential campaign with zeal. Bob and Virginia were able to attend the symphony, enjoy dinners out, a wonderful travel weekend with friends, and intimate dinner-parties at home.

It was difficult for Bob to acknowledge the medical setbacks because as he would have you know, "...…but I'm not sick." It became clear to everyone around Bob that he was going to create whatever "work around" necessary so that he and Virginia could continue their fun and active lives together. As has always been Bob's view of life and his personal practice, each day is precious and wonderful and we must live every day with gratitude and appreciation.

By mid-year it was apparent that Bob needed more assistance. As the simple tasks of daily life took more time to accomplish and became more difficult, life for Virginia also became increasingly difficult. The new challenges finally became too burdensome for both and the time arrived when a change was required. The decision to move Bob into a Sunrise Assisted Living residence was a blow to Bob. He has spent his career caring for people whose lives changed dramatically as they aged. He knows much about the journey and leaving home is one of those "markers" that we do not easily embrace.

The Sunrise building is a beautiful new facility, tucked in the pine trees, about 1.5 miles from their condo fronting the Puget Sound. Bob and Virginia now have "the beach house" and the "mountain house". Travel back and forth is quite easy and allows for the continuation of family events and quiet dinners with friends at the beach house.

One weekend in the fall, Margene Gerton-Rivara and sister Sherry arrived at Sunrise with a truck load of furnishings. Jim Krause brought Bob's books and photos. With Virginia as interior design critic, they transformed Bob's suite into a library/den. The space is full of Bob's treasures. The mountain home became the warm and restful retreat it was meant to be.

In spite of the changes to his life, Bob still ministers to his flock of congregants at Sunrise. Bob knows everyone and gives each person the love and attention they need and deserve. He revels in his new "church" as the congregation can't really leave the sanctuary. This is of special significance to Bob as it allows him "flexibility" in the length of his sermons! Regular services take place every day at breakfast, lunch and dinner, presided over by the incomparable Reverend Robert Stuart Vogt.

With each month, Bob is aging more rapidly. The gait has changed, the confident stride is gone. Slow, careful steps are now the norm. The walker has become a friend. Urinary tract infections are now part of daily living. The doctors have used every antibiotic known to science. The latest round of medication really did not help much. Bob's physician told him that the "neutron bomb" of antibiotics was no longer having much effect on the infection. The prostate cancer returned some months go and has been treated with hormone therapy. Some days Bob is really not well, others he is perky and sharp.