The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together. Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old WestsideBethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City wassuddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had notworked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a newsystem, which for an NGO budget were astronomical. Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment andrestoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around theworld and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go towork. We managed to clunk along for several days by wearingsweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on mydoor and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.” Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar ofthe furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and aseries of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valveswith handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beamingfrom ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals beingapplied. “This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosionacross the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build upof corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which wecan then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removalchemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.” But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an oldsystem which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and wouldneed to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes thatis all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how therest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I wasgone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’sexpansion plan. Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember theconsummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown inthis one of many stories.
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: carol.walters@yahoo.com <carol.walters@yahoo.com>To: ORDER LISTSERVE <oe@wedgeblade.net>Cc: Alice Baumbach <axb3016@gmail.com>Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 10:40:48 AM ESTSubject: Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together. Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old WestsideBethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City wassuddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had notworked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a newsystem, which for an NGO budget were astronomical. Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment andrestoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around theworld and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go towork. We managed to clunk along for several days by wearingsweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on mydoor and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.” Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar ofthe furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and aseries of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valveswith handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beamingfrom ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals beingapplied. “This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosionacross the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build upof corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which wecan then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removalchemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.” But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an oldsystem which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and wouldneed to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes thatis all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how therest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I wasgone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’sexpansion plan. Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember theconsummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown inthis one of many stories.
And what similar stories we could have for each of us - we were/are a wonder. May the wonder continue and the blessings roll down. Sunny ________________________________ From: OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:40 AM To: ORDER LISTSERVE <oe@wedgeblade.net> Cc: carol.walters@yahoo.com <carol.walters@yahoo.com> Subject: [Oe List ...] Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together. Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old Westside Bethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City was suddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had not worked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a new system, which for an NGO budget were astronomical. Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment and restoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around the world and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go to work. We managed to clunk along for several days by wearing sweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on my door and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.” Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar of the furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and a series of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valves with handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beaming from ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals being applied. “This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosion across the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build up of corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which we can then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removal chemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.” But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an old system which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and would need to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes that is all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how the rest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I was gone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’s expansion plan. Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember the consummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown in this one of many stories.
A great story to be added to the “book”of stories and memories of this amazing community. What a wild, messy and inspiring journey we’ve been on. Nancy
On Dec 4, 2025, at 7:47 AM, Sunny Walker via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
And what similar stories we could have for each of us - we were/are a wonder. May the wonder continue and the blessings roll down. Sunny From: OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:40 AM To: ORDER LISTSERVE <oe@wedgeblade.net> Cc: carol.walters@yahoo.com <carol.walters@yahoo.com> Subject: [Oe List ...] Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together.
Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters
It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old Westside Bethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City was suddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had not worked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a new system, which for an NGO budget were astronomical.
Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment and restoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around the world and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go to work.
We managed to clunk along for several days by wearing sweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on my door and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.”
Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar of the furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and a series of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valves with handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beaming from ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals being applied.
“This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosion across the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build up of corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which we can then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removal chemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.”
But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an old system which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and would need to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes that is all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how the rest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I was gone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’s expansion plan.
Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember the consummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown in this one of many stories.
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank you George and Carol! What a fantastic story! On Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 1:18 PM Nancy Lanphear via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
A great story to be added to the “book”of stories and memories of this amazing community. What a wild, messy and inspiring journey we’ve been on. Nancy
On Dec 4, 2025, at 7:47 AM, Sunny Walker via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
And what similar stories we could have for each of us - we were/are a wonder. May the wonder continue and the blessings roll down. Sunny ------------------------------ *From:* OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> *Sent:* Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:40 AM *To:* ORDER LISTSERVE <oe@wedgeblade.net> *Cc:* carol.walters@yahoo.com <carol.walters@yahoo.com> *Subject:* [Oe List ...] Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together.
Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
By George Walters
It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old Westside Bethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City was suddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had not worked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a new system, which for an NGO budget were astronomical.
Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment and restoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around the world and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go to work.
We managed to clunk along for several days by wearing sweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on my door and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.”
Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar of the furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and a series of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valves with handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beaming from ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals being applied.
“This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosion across the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build up of corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which we can then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removal chemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.”
But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an old system which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and would need to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes that is all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how the rest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I was gone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’s expansion plan.
Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember the consummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown in this one of many stories.
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Jim and Alice were active Fifth City residents for a long time. During the US bicentennial (1976) we escorted a group of Fifth citizens on a bus to the national capital of Washington DC to see all the sites. Jim carried his camera. He was a great photographer and documented our entire trip. Once as he was taking a photograph. He leaned over and said “Alice thinks I should always be sure there were people in the photographs so we could remember who we were with and when! They were beautiful photographs. Thank you, Jim for sharing your talent. It was a gift to all of us. Paula Personal Mission Statement: *I nurture love, peace & harmony in every situation for my caring family, disempowered communities, and our precious planet.* On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 1:55 AM Isobel and Jim via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you for this memory Carol d George! What a gem !💎 I like to remember Jim as steadfast, just my name for Jim. With my love from down here; as summer stirs her heat on us. Isobel
Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425
On 5 Dec 2025, at 7:57 am, Alice Baumbach via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you George and Carol! What a fantastic story!
On Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 1:18 PM Nancy Lanphear via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
A great story to be added to the “book”of stories and memories of this amazing community. What a wild, messy and inspiring journey we’ve been on. Nancy
On Dec 4, 2025, at 7:47 AM, Sunny Walker via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
And what similar stories we could have for each of us - we were/are a wonder. May the wonder continue and the blessings roll down. Sunny ------------------------------ *From:* OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> *Sent:* Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:40 AM *To:* ORDER LISTSERVE <oe@wedgeblade.net> *Cc:* carol.walters@yahoo.com <carol.walters@yahoo.com> *Subject:* [Oe List ...] Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together.
Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
By George Walters
It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old Westside Bethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City was suddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had not worked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a new system, which for an NGO budget were astronomical.
Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment and restoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around the world and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go to work.
We managed to clunk along for several days by wearing sweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on my door and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.”
Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar of the furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and a series of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valves with handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beaming from ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals being applied.
“This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosion across the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build up of corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which we can then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removal chemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.”
But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an old system which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and would need to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes that is all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how the rest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I was gone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’s expansion plan.
Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember the consummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown in this one of many stories.
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
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Paula, thank you so much for your story! Jim loved his camera and his darkroom until cell phone picture taking dimmed his interest. One of my challenges is to deal with his thousands of pictures! On Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 8:17 AM Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Jim and Alice were active Fifth City residents for a long time. During the US bicentennial (1976) we escorted a group of Fifth citizens on a bus to the national capital of Washington DC to see all the sites. Jim carried his camera. He was a great photographer and documented our entire trip. Once as he was taking a photograph. He leaned over and said “Alice thinks I should always be sure there were people in the photographs so we could remember who we were with and when! They were beautiful photographs. Thank you, Jim for sharing your talent. It was a gift to all of us.
Paula
Personal Mission Statement: *I nurture love, peace & harmony in every situation for my caring family, disempowered communities, and our precious planet.*
On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 1:55 AM Isobel and Jim via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you for this memory Carol d George! What a gem !💎 I like to remember Jim as steadfast, just my name for Jim. With my love from down here; as summer stirs her heat on us. Isobel
Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425
On 5 Dec 2025, at 7:57 am, Alice Baumbach via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you George and Carol! What a fantastic story!
On Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 1:18 PM Nancy Lanphear via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
A great story to be added to the “book”of stories and memories of this amazing community. What a wild, messy and inspiring journey we’ve been on. Nancy
On Dec 4, 2025, at 7:47 AM, Sunny Walker via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
And what similar stories we could have for each of us - we were/are a wonder. May the wonder continue and the blessings roll down. Sunny ------------------------------ *From:* OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> *Sent:* Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:40 AM *To:* ORDER LISTSERVE <oe@wedgeblade.net> *Cc:* carol.walters@yahoo.com <carol.walters@yahoo.com> *Subject:* [Oe List ...] Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together.
Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
By George Walters
It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old Westside Bethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City was suddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had not worked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a new system, which for an NGO budget were astronomical.
Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment and restoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around the world and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go to work.
We managed to clunk along for several days by wearing sweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on my door and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.”
Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar of the furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and a series of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valves with handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beaming from ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals being applied.
“This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosion across the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build up of corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which we can then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removal chemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.”
But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an old system which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and would need to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes that is all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how the rest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I was gone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’s expansion plan.
Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember the consummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown in this one of many stories.
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
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Thank you so much for the memorable story Carol and George. With my love, Isobel Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425
On 5 Dec 2025, at 2:42 am, carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together.
Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters
It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old Westside Bethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City was suddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had not worked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a new system, which for an NGO budget were astronomical.
Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment and restoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around the world and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go to work.
We managed to clunk along for several days by wearing sweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on my door and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.”
Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar of the furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and a series of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valves with handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beaming from ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals being applied.
“This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosion across the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build up of corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which we can then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removal chemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.”
But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an old system which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and would need to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes that is all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how the rest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I was gone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’s expansion plan.
Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember the consummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown in this one of many stories.
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank God for Jim Baumbach and the many incredible and creative colleagues of the Order:Ecumenical and Spirit Movement! Thanks for sharing this Westside Story George!Carleton StockOberlin, Ohio On Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 02:51:56 PM CST, Isobel and Jim via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Thank you so much for the memorable story Carol and George. With my love, Isobel Isobel BishopMob. 0412 129 425 On 5 Dec 2025, at 2:42 am, carol.walters--- via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together. Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old WestsideBethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City wassuddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had notworked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a newsystem, which for an NGO budget were astronomical. Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment andrestoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around theworld and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go towork. We managed to clunk along for several days by wearingsweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on mydoor and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.” Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar ofthe furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and aseries of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valveswith handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beamingfrom ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals beingapplied. “This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosionacross the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build upof corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which wecan then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removalchemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.” But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an oldsystem which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and wouldneed to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes thatis all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how therest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I wasgone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’sexpansion plan. Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember theconsummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown inthis one of many stories. _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
participants (7)
-
Alice Baumbach -
carletonstock＠aol.com -
carol.walters＠yahoo.com -
Isobel and Jim -
Nancy Lanphear -
Paula Philbrook -
Sunny Walker