By Bob Behrends
When I was at Ken Hodges’ celebration of life, his brother Craig gave a wonderful background of Ken’s family that most of us didn’t know, and said something really interesting about Ken. When Ken did an occupational study, the occupation that came up for Ken was being a minister.
And when I thought about Ken, I thought Ken in his own way was a minister because he lived his life-giving silent sermons. If you don’t know what a silent sermon is, it is showing people about what is important by what you do instead of what you say.
Ken was humble and kind and loving and gentle spirited, a great writer and a great friend to all of us. He always made time for people, helping friends, making room to house boats and people who needed a place to stay and people who needed a friend, and teaching kids about his love of the Delta and of his expansive knowledge of fisheries and aquatic Sciences.
He made time to help write grants for the Watershed Project, raising thousands and thousands of dollars. He donated a thousand dollars out of his pocket for a friend that I know of, just giving it to this person because they needed it. That was Ken. The master of the silent sermon – the man we all know and love and miss.
When I spoke to Bert at Ken’s party he said, “You know Bob, every time I drive past Ken’s place now it leaves a big hole in my heart because I miss him so much and he means so much to me.”
And I said, “You know Bert, I think if after someone is gone from this Earth they leave a hole in our heart, then they have lived their life well because they are missed and loved and made a difference in the world.”
I think Ken did this for all of us without trying, in his humble way, helping others, without asking for anything in return.
I think if we can leave a hole in the hearts of others thanks to the example Ken gave us, then maybe we can make a small difference in the world, too, like Ken did.
I love the people of Cordova. They are family. Ken is family to me and to all of us.
Thank you, Ken, for your silent sermons. Without a word spoken we heard them loud and clear.
Thank you, Ken, for what you did for all of us by the loving life you lived. I love you Ken and miss you. You left a big hole in my heart too.
