Meet my friend Dick

Another in my series “Larger Than Life Characters in our little town of Summerland”

Dick Spencer and I met shortly after Kathie and I moved to Summerland in the fall of 1994. With his wife, Lois, he was a member of the Anglican congregation I served as priest from 1994-2004.

A talented woodworker and carpenter he helped us renovate our first house on Cartwright Avenue. His attention to detail was truly impressive though sometimes a bit time-challenged. His finishing touches helped make our home visually interesting, comfortable,  and efficient.

We spent a lot of time together at our diocesan Camp, Okanagan Anglican Camp (OAC). We visited often at their geodesic dome home just off of HWY 97. On site coffee visits were often accompanied by the fluttering of soft plastic windows as the cost of installing triangular-shaped glass was cost-prohibitive at the time. To this day, the dome looks like a giant golf ball about to roll down the hill into Okanagan Lake where it would likely bounce and land in Naramata on the other shore. At the time of writing, it remains, thankfully, firmly in place.

An ex-navy man, who sailed with my brother back in the day, he is now shore assigned especially given his unique medical history.  A number of years ago his physician told him he needed a lung transplant. Specifically, Dr. Mack said if he didn’t do something right away he would never see his youngest daughter graduate from high school. Now years later, and thanks to a vast array of colourful medications, he plays with his grandchildren. Post-transplant, he remains very much alive, if a little mobility-challenged. He has a unique perspective on life.

We often meet up while walking our dogs. Typically I say something like “let’s go for coffee sometime.” He replies, “great” — then nothing happens. More decisive than normal, and given I was off church duty this past Sunday, I messaged Dick saying “let’s do coffee” to which he replied, “sure.” Shrouded in greenery we met up at a classic Summerland outdoor patio at Grannies bakery. So what did we talk about, you ask?

We initially put politics aside and discussed mortality. I sometimes wonder how long I think I will live; as a diabetic enjoying a maple glazed doughnut I was thinking practically; what must be done now and for how long.  Dick’s perspective was totally different, as one who has beat the odds of meeting the grim reaper in real time by several years if not a decade. He genuinely appreciates every day as a gift. Good one Dick.

We touched briefly on assassination and assassins, shaking our heads about the consequences of such focused and sustained hatred. Where do these thoughts and feelings come from? Putting aside academic theology and philosophy one question returns, at least to me, over and over again: Why? Just why? Thankfully, we were able to move on to other subjects.

We never got to Dick’s glasses. Why a square and a circle? It this something more grand than attention seeking? Were they on sale? Or is the chorus line of life’s characters a combination, or succession, of square and circle characters? In Dick’s glasses do each find a welcome recognition?

More abstractly, is the circle contained within the square, or does the square enfold the circle? This stuff is important people; pay attention now; even the smallest and most comical realities are often the most important; remember Citizen Caine and “Rosebud.”

Speaking of appearances, there’s no shame in wearing suspenders. Wear ’em loud and proud I say; my kids often groan when I wear mine; they think I am becoming elderly; well, consider this carefully. Keeping one’s pants up and on remains a necessary priority. I want to get some like Dick’s; make a statement; start a movement.

The T-shirt Hopewell Rocks (New Brunswick) inspires me to go there some day. Such a great photographic opportunity. Dick and Lois did travel across Canada a few years back I recall. Obviously, he got the T-shirt.

I hope the above gives a sense of our time together. It’s these little conversations in our little town that makes life special for me. I know many “Dicks.” I must say that some are truly d**ks. This Dick is not one of those dicks. He is indeed ,by far, my favourite Dick.

Till next time bro, Ken

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