Eulogy

To My Brother, Friend, confidant and inspiration:
   While not normally one known to be at a loss for words, as I sat to prepare my parting words to Brent, I found it increasingly difficult to master the appropriate way to relate my thoughts and feelings about him. I knew there was much I�d like to say but where did I start? I was really quite troubled by this writer�s block.
   Then, I recalled with fondness that at times in our lives there were instances where Brent and I related how we each would ask for divine �familial� intervention when faced with a particular pressing or troubling task whether in a familiar or foreign arena � normally printing for Brent or a household repair for me. We always knew one of our fathers, grandparents, son or nephew who predeceased us would exert whatever influence they had toward assisting us in our moment of need. As I faced my current dilemma, I certainly couldn�t come to seek Brent�s assistance in penning his own eulogy though he was far more able than I in the writing department. I thought of the words he�d spoke to my grandmother at her funeral and other of his writings that made this a daunting, almost insurmountable undertaking for me. Yet, his selfless persona would never permit him to participate in any self-adulation no matter how much I sought his contribution.
   For a while I was completely stumped. Then, as I reflected upon the words used by his friends, family and business associates throughout his life and, especially, in the past week to describe Brent and what he meant to each of them, I realized that you all had aided me in my endeavor. That he was many things to many people; each role benefiting those that he touched and, therefore, those who should contribute to these words.
   Let me take a step back for a moment, if I may. For those of you who are unaware, throughout his life Brent endured over sixty significant surgical procedures and countless other hospital stays and medical conditions. Whenever he�d take ill, he�d always have to one-up my sister, Brenda, and me. With each episode, he�d meet the challenge head on and see a positive side. (Mom�s 12-year-old anecdote re: God�s deciding the day he�d die irrespective of Mom�s efforts to protect him). He refused to admit he was sick or should be treated as a person with special needs. To him, each occurrence was merely a temporary set back, an obstacle he simply needed to overcome to return to a normal life � always interjecting a joke or humorous comment (seizure incident at UI). Through it all, he �never complained�, instead reflecting on a goal, not thinking of himself.
    Similarly, Brent, or �Irv� as many had come to call him, encountered many obstacles in his professional life. An accomplished printer, estimator and ASU assistant professor, his wheels were constantly turning � never without some new and creative product or service that the world was in need of. Oh, how I admired his ingenuity and drive! Here, too, events not of his making so often cut short his dreams � forever trusting someone at his word � to Brent�s undoing.
   So was it also with his quest for improved dialysis care and treatment. In the beginning, Brent shunned any connection with dialysis and renal patients believing that such association would mean a concession. In his later years, without concern for his own well being, he subjected himself to potential abuse, neglect and retribution for championing the cause of himself and his fellow dialysis patients. He spoke openly and candidly before a United States Senate Subcommittee on Health and Aging and sought the assistance of Arizona politicians for the betterment of dialysis care, the certification of dialysis technicians and the education of patients.
    As many of you know, in Arizona and other states, it takes more to become certified as a manicurist or hairdresser than it does to work as a dialysis tech, someone who stuck needles into peoples arms for a living. Experiencing first hand for far too long what dialysis patients must endure on a daily basis concerning simple safety measures such as clean hands, sterile medical supplies and personalized chemistries that would make a run healthier and safer, Brent confronted and subjected himself to the �bottom line� businessmen and bureaucrats who had and have no concern for his health and others like him, only for maximizing profits. Of course, why should a dialysis provider be concerned with a client�s health?? Ultimately, his unselfish efforts accelerated and contributed to his demise at the very hands of those paid to maintain his life. The �potential� abuse and neglect have become a reality and remain so for the thousands of compatriots he has left behind. He was, as someone dear to him most aptly defined him, a martyr.
   Remembering these things as I attempted to accurately and fully relate to you the substance that was my brother, your thoughts, comments and feelings facilitated my welcomed obligation. �Hero�, �warrior�, �martyr�, �courageous prisoner, selfless, �constant example� all contributed to define Brent�s existence and his effect on those he touched. (Senator � 10%), (Zone�s � minimal problems) (Gary � constant example at work) (Dr. Bays � courageous prisoner) (Kathy�s bumble bee � ultimate symbol of determination)
   �Though the principles of aerodynamics suggest that a bumblebee cant� fly, his wings being too weak and body too heavy, the bumblebee, knowing this, flies anyway�
    This was Brent. He forever thought �what a mind can believe, it can achieve.�
    But, a special friend brought it all together. One who related that from the moment he met Brent he considered him a �special protected person�. A friend who, no matter the occasion, would look forward to his discussions with Brent and the insight he exuded. At a person whose life�s mission was not of the material world but of spirituality, complexity, giving and love.
   This made me remember what we all have or should have known all along � Brent�s purpose on this earth was special. For all of us who hurt seeing his physical suffering, who ached when his viable business dreams were unduly and wrongfully extinguished and who longed for him to experience the family he so dearly wanted, we can take comfort in knowing that while from a human standpoint he didn�t necessarily achieve his worldly goals, he wasn�t placed on this earth for that purpose but to touch, effect and influence all of us in our daily lives, to enable all of us to contribute to this eulogy. I believe there is no greater testament to his life, no better validation of all he stood for. His presence provided us with the impetus to forge ahead with our own lives and make us realize that the burdens we have are minimal compared with what others face and yet say nothing. He knew he was dying but never complained.
    So, while we are sad today for we miss him, his humor, compassion, love and dedication as a son, friend, uncle, brother-in-law and brother, we must rejoice and find comfort in the fact that he suffers no longer. (mom � on the day he died �first day since he was born that he feels no pain�). We do and will cry but must remember that though his physical heart tired, his spiritual heart will live on in all of us.
    So take this opportunity and make the most of it. Remember what Brent has meant to you and others. What his selfless life has shown you, the examples he has set. He never intended to be a hero, martyr or a saint. He only wanted to be himself � an honest, forthright man who adhered to his convictions, fought for what was right and, in the end, as he did as long as I have known him, risked his own life to make the lives of those around him better.

He is in the Lord�s hands now � safe and without suffering.

I will forever love and miss you, my brother.

Written by Brian Smith