Saying Good-Bye to Bert

[Jeff Higgins]

Bertram Justice Naumann, 1931-2009. Retired Pastor of our small congregation, the man that married my wife and I and baptized both of our boys. Father of five sons and one daughter, with 31 grand children in all. One of the finest men I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Besides being our pastor for years (retired in 2000), he was a great friend and almost a father figure for me. I lost my own dad when I was 18, and as a young man getting married and trying to find my way in this world some years after that, Pastor Naumann was always there with just the right advice. We became good friends, despite a 30 year age difference, spending a lot of time just hanging out, b.s.-ing, maybe having a beer and just talking about life. He went from "Pastor Naumann" to "Bert" over the 25 years I was privileged to be his friend.

I'll miss him a lot.

[Oh Haha]

Sounds like he was a great man and friend.

Rest in peace, Bert.

[stomachmonkey]

No worries, Bert will have a chair and a cold one waiting for you when next you meet.

My condolences.

[Looking_for_911]

I had a pastor like that way back when. He was a great guy. So great that when I got married we looked him up in retirement and he agreed to drive a couple hours down from where he was living and doing missionary work to do the service. I was his last wedding.

When he died my ex and I made the trip a couple hours down in Southeast Alabama for his funeral. It started at the funeral home, then went about two and a half hours North to the tiny country church where he was originally from to be buried. We were in my 944.

The ex and I entered toward the end of the line of people paying respects to the family. We were behind an older couple, last in line, and when we got to his wife she was talking to us, and the older couple. She stopped and said, "Oh my...." We asked if she was alright and she said, "Yes... it's just that you all were the first couple Ira married," talking to the older folks, "and Jeff, you were the last he married."

I've often wondered about the odds of that happening. The first couple the new preacher marries and the very last one he married -- less than a month before dying -- entering his funeral at the same time.

Men like that, and your friend Bert, are assured of a special place in rest.

[trekkor]

It's always sad to lose those close to us.
I'm sorry for the loss of one of your loved ones.

Keep the hope of the resurrection of the dead close to you!
( John 5:28 )


KT

[Gogar]

RIP, Bert. Sorry, Jeff.

[mossguy]

Jeff - Remember the things that you learned from Bert, and continue to pass that wisdom on to others.

Best,
Tom

[futuresoptions]

RIP Bert.....

[pwd72s]

Quite a story....

RIP Bert. A shepherd who cared for his flock.

[azasadny]

My condolences to you and your family...