I first met Loren and Pam around 1973. Sue Conklin is a great friend and her sister Donna had been married to Loren. Darren and Tracy were so young! Memories of Loren are vague at that time but in 76, Pam played on an opposing softball team "The Shockers" and they were always tough yet fun competitors leaving memories of the Harpers with a smile as well. I remember when Amber and Aaron were born and how adorable they were. Over the years I continued to become more and more familiar with the Reinharts. Amber, becoming the dear friend she still is, playing on women's and co-ed softball teams together in fact I played co-ed with Tracy and Aaron then later taking the honor beside Amber as a bridesmaid at her beautiful wedding in the park to Robert. Loren and Pam beamed that day. The perfect example of the kind of parents they have been to all of their children and grandchildren. Supportive, proud and loving. I cherish the capacity of the friendship I shared with Loren... Thinking back on all the times we talked, he never failed to express his pride for his children with those eyes lit up like stars.
It always impressed and amazed me at how he incorporated Darren and Tracy and the Conklin's into his life with Pam, Amber and Aaron. Always helping Doreen and encouraging the friendship between Donna and Pam. That is the way it should be. Just one thing of many we could learn from this man.
When he joined us as umpire at our games, he would tease us (in a fun and inoffensive manner of course) if we made a bad play. His serious calls on each play were intense bringing so much laughter and fun to our games so we were all looking forward to his return to the field this summer.
Listening to everyone at his service, I realize... I was not so special to him that I thought I was. Fact is, he treated EVERYONE that special. He made us ALL feel as special to him as he was to us. Young and old, he smiled those sparkling eyes and shared that infectious laugh with everyone. He truly loved life and everyone he knew. I started this web presence for him because I was ashamed I didn't have the courage to stand on his behalf at his funeral service. I'm so proud of those that did. This is to give opportunity to those who are like me, needing to share my Loren Story but not having the strength to do it when I had the chance. Not only to show his family how great a friend he was to so many but to all of us who will never forget him. With love, respect and deep sincerity ~ Kathy McCabe ~
~ Karen Smith ~
In the spring of 79 while at First Interstate Pam
asked me if I was interested in playing softball,
well that started a freindship with Pam, Loren,
and the rest of the Harper Family that to this
day I would not change a single memory..From the
chants of the teams to the weekend of softball in
Bend...but over the years as first Tracy then
Amber played the game, the knees went and then
the shoulders and the extra pounds came along I
could still manage to pull myself down to the
field..but I have a small confession to make it
was not the love of the game that brought me
there ...but those darn good looking legs in the
umpire shorts..we will miss him but I believe
that God must of needed a great umpire...
~ Marty & Jan Howard ~
Marty and I have known Loren, Pam and family for years and years! Our kids attended school together too. We have an insurance agency here in Prineville and since they are insured with us we saw them often. We actually saw Loren quite a bit more since his job as a contractor gave him more freedom to take care of their insurance. We will greatly miss Loren!! It is so hard for us to fathom that he will not grace our office anymore! He was always so cheery and so upbeat, even if
the rates went up!!! :-)
Loren always shared some of the important things going on in his life, such as his beautiful grandbabies, his trips to Minnesota to visit family or to attend a reunion. He always was interested in what was going on in our lives too...it wasn't all about him! We use to tease him about the colonge he wore because he
would be in our office in the morning, and then at noon Marty and I would leave for lunch and when we got back to the office we could still smell him! Often after Loren left, people that came in would comment on how great our office smelled and what it was? I would just say "Loren as in Reinhart, not Lauren as in Ralph!" One day I ask him what kind it was, his answer of course, "Nothing, It's just my natural good smell".
We will sorely miss him, his beautiful smile and vivacious attitude! He was one of a kind. Pam and family were truly blessed to have him in their lives and he was blessed to have such a wonderful loving family too. One day we will all meet again! I know Heaven is a beautiful place and boy I sure bet it smells good too! We love you Loren!
Thank you for the memories! OX
~ Chris Harper ~
When I was younger I spent a lot of time at Uncle Loren's spending time with Amber and Aaron. When you are young you look up to people. "When I grow up I want to be like..." I remember wanting to be as strong as Uncle Loren or to be able to whistle as loud as he could. Now that I am older I hope that I will be as compassionate as he. He put everything he had into whatever he did.
"Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of children, who leaves the world better than they found it, who has never lacked appreciation for the earth's beauty, who never fails to look for the best in others or give the best of themselves."
I think that that says it all. It is hard to put in to words the feeling that Uncle Loren gave us all. He truly was a great man and will be missed by all.
~ Amber Freeman ~
I just want to express thanks from all of our family to everyone for all the support, wonderful food, and prayers you have provided us with. We have a wonderful family and community and we thank you so much. What a wonderful dad he was to me who loved me so much and would do anything in the world for any of us. He came and watched the superbowl with us the Sunday before he passed away and Teagan (my little girl) didn't want papa to go visit a neighbor during half time, so he picked Teagan up and said "let's go", put her in the pick up and let her sit on his lap while driving down to the neighbors. He loved the grandkids so much and Teagan still asks for or tells me "that papa". She will never forget him and we miss him so much.
I LOVE YOU DAD!!!
When it comes to being a family man, community member, friend, dad, PAPA, and hero; Loren was all of them hands down. I have been reading a lot of books and last night I read a poem called Walk with, My Daddy. It brought so many
happy thoughts of Loren and his relationship with his kids and grand kids.
I have played softball for PWAA since I was 15 and I am now 32. For twelve years Loren has been a big part of my softball as well as personal life. I feel like our softball team is family and the Reinharts have been part of my family for twelve years or more.
My favorite memory of Loren has to be the way he called a strike. He called it like no other person. There was no doubt in your mind that it was a strike standing in center field. A batter would never challenge a strike made by Loren, except for his own daughter. He seemed to be tough on Amber because he wanted her to be her best and hit the hell out of the ball. Loren would be in his blue shirt and shorts; to let all the ladies look at his nice legs to make us jealous over his nice tan. When the ball would land he would bend his knees, turn his body to the right, with his right arm bent and right hand in a fist with his finger pointed he would yell out STTTTRRRRIIIIIIKKKKKKEEEEE! While he was yelling strike he would move his arm in and out from his body. He showed all of us who was the boss on the field but always had fun doing it. Our softball team would hold an annual end of season barbeque and Pam and Loren would always be there. Loren would show off his great horse shoe ability and I always wanted him to draw my name so I had a chance of winning.
I will miss Loren greatly on and off the field. He will always have a special place in all our hearts and a special place on the field. Thanks for sharing your husband, dad, and PAPA with us every summer.
Love,
Tina Simmons
Here is the poem sent in by Tina.
I felt it is worth posting as it is so touching and so true:
Walk with Me Daddy
Walk alongside me, daddy
And hold my little hand.
I have so many things to learn
That I don’t yet understand.
Teach me things to keep me safe
From dangers every day.
Show me how to do my best
At home, at school, at play
Every child needs a gentle hand
To guide them, as they grow
So walk alongside me, daddy –
We have a long way to go.
~ Christy Young ~
There is a journey
that you will begin
and oddly enough
it starts with an end
It will take you through valleys
and high mountain tops
and cold icy rivers
and tropical raindrops
This journey will bruise you
it will hurt till it bleeds
but along the way
there begins some new seeds
Seeds of understanding
of what Christ did for us
2000 years ago
up on a cross
And as you and I water
those seeds so they'll grow
may we pray for the wisdom
to let others know
For it is our purpose
to spread Gods love
He is molding and making us
in his image above
So don't look at this journey
with sadness and despair
for God has already opened
several doors somewhere
As he shapes you and makes you
look to his journey with pride
for he chose you special
because he knows you inside
As you feel the gut wrenching
sadness inside
remeber God felt it first
when his son died
~ Shannon (Struck) Wimberly ~
I was very saddened when I heard the news of Loren's passing away. I too, have very fond memories of Loren, mostly from the softball field. Loren was by far the most popular umpire in Prineville, and one I always hoped to see behind the plate, speaking as a former pitcher....and even though he had a few "off" nights, he was by far the most consisent in his calls and by far, the most fun to watch! He was always quick with a smile and loved to tease and torment players, but was also able to bear the brunt of teasing himself. He would give out advice and help when asked or when he thought it would help a player. Frankly, Loren was just a wonderful individual... I was certainly blessed with knowing him. I know Pam and the kids and grandkids will always hold onto all their special memories, I know I
certainly will. You will be missed Loren...
Shannon (Struck) Wimberly
~ Daddy's Little Girl ~
How I would give to hug and kiss you one more
time dad. I miss you so much and know how much
you mean to so many people. I want to thank
everyone who has shared their special stories of
my dad I have enjoyed them so much. It helps to
know how much he touched so many lives in so many
ways. What a wonderful dad he is to me and how
much I miss him five months later. God blessed
me with wonderful parents and gave me 27 years
with my dad... Thank you for the time I had, I
miss you so much and cannot wait to see you one
day. We miss you soooo much and love you.
Teagan asks about you... she has not forgotten dad.
Love you forever.
~ Vera Harper ~
It is now four months later and it still hurts not to hear
the special sound of "mom" as only Loren could make it
sound. I could feel the love he felt for dad and mom
Harper. We look around and see all the places and
things his hands have touched. We too miss him but
rejoice to know we will see Loren again when we are
gathered up together or taken home one by one. My
prayer is for all the families Loren's life touched to know
Jesus as their personal savior so they do not miss out
on the "great reunion" Bless you Loren for all you added
to our lives.
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Amber Freeman, Feb 9th 2006
As I woke this morning I remember this day so
clearly. I cannot believe my dad has been gone
for a year now. But as the year has gone by the
stories have been told. Many of them knowing my
dad for many years and how he was always there
to help. And those who just recently had the
opportunity of knowing my dad and how much of an
impact he made in their life in such little
time. I wondered how I would make it through
and somehow we have. Just remember to spend
time with your family and loved ones because you
never know just as we did not know that God
would call my dad home this early morning a year
ago. We sometimes take for granted each day we
are able to see those around us and there is no
guarntee they will be here tomorrow. My dad
would come eat dinner with us many nights, and
come have coffee in the morning and how I wish I
could have that one more day. Please remember
how important family is and tell them you love
them, I thank God I had the opportunity to tell
my dad I loved him the last time I spoke with him
here on this earth.
Susan Fitzgerald Wagaman ~ March 20, 2007
Loren.....
You never said "I'm leaving"'
You never said goodby.
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why.
A million times we've needed you.
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts we hold a place
That no one else could fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The days the angels took you home.
.....Susan
I can only imagine the joy and pleasures that
you and Dad are experiencing with all of the
new "Projects" that were given to "His good and
faithful servants". 3/17/2007
January, 28th, 2008 Well it has almost been three years and I know
there is not a day that has gone by that I do
not think of my dad. How I wish he could see my
son (who acts so much like him)and he would be
so proud of Teagan in all she is doing. As the
years go on I was told it would be easier but I
feel like it is so much harder I haven't talk to
you in so long dad. It helps to call out to
your house and listen to the answering machine
with your voice on it. One day I will see you
again and just you wait until you meet Issac you
are two of a kind.
My heart aches until we meet again.
Your daughter Dearest Amber...
Gosh, another year has gone by...but doesn't it
feel like just yesterday that we lost them.
I'll bet our Dads have had enough time to at
least get a new drafting down for the "revised
entry way of the Pearly Gates". But now comes
the part that they both hated...waiting for
permission from the counsel board to "get er
done". Oh, but wait!!!That is just one other
pain that they don't have to deal with in
Heaven!!
Don't you know, sweet girl, they are just
waiting for all of us to meet them in the sky!
And what a reunion it will be*******
My heart goes out to you and your babies, not to
mention the pain in losing a best friend and all
around "take care of it" kind of dad. There are
times when I have something that I really need
to ask Dad (or Loren) and think...I'll just call
him real quick...But then it dawns on me that he
won't be picking up the phone...Gosh, it is hard
being Daddy's Girl. Along with the sweet and
spoiled encounters, are those life long holes in
your heart that are understood by very few!
Well Amber dear, I count myself as very
blessed to have had both of these solid rocks
in my life. And ever blessed again to have you,
and especially your mom, and the extended family
in my life. I know that you will always be a
very special piece of my puzzled life. A very
precious piece!!!
God's special blessings to you!
Love. Susan
~Laurie Reinhart Thompson~
My earliest memory of Loren was in the summer when
I was 5 or 6 years old and up at the farm in
Minnesota. His laugh and smile are the most vivid
memories - that and his mischievous sense of
humor. He always had a great plan for the nieces
and nephews, locking us in the barn, the well
house, the outhouse. But the gentler side of Loren
was helping us catch fireflies at dusk, pushing us
on the tire swing and showing us how to swing out
FAR on the rope swing over the river.
As I grew, I didn't see much of Loren, not until
the summer of '88 at the first Reinhart reunion.
He hadn't aged a bit - not physically and
especially not in his character and personality,
with the one exception of his devotion to his Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. To me, this was the
biggest blessing of all and I'm sure that his
testimony and his witness of Christ's love will
not return void. Loren was a man that could make
you feel as though you were the only one who
mattered at the time that you spent with him - and
his memory and legacy live on in his children. God
bless you all. Well it is another father's day without dad!
I remember how dad would always say "why
don't you wash the truck for me?" Dad always
would rather us not spend money but just spend
time or help him with things. He is still truly
missed and how meaningless for me this day is
until I see him again. I cannot wait to go see
his family this summer as his brothers help
remind me of dad.... until we meet again. your loving daughter 8-8-08
Well I just got back from the family reunion in
Minnesota. It was the first reunion without
dad. It was so nice to be with the family we
all had a terrific time! All 9 brothers and
sisters were there.. They all look so good and
amaze me how they all look so young. I am so
thankful for such a wonderful family to be a
part of and my children. Amber
Tammy Grunstad I didn't know that Loren had passed away until
recently when I was told by one of Chris'
extended family members. It was hard for me to
believe because Loren has always been so
much "larger than life" and such a vital, active
person. It breaks my heart to think of the huge
hole that is left in so many of his loving
family members, and to those too young to have
known him well before he left us at such a young
age.
I met Loren through Pam when she and I worked
together at First Interstate Bank (back in olden
times). They took me under their wings and into
their family and made me feel so special and
loved. I first met Amber as a toddler and Aaron
as a newborn and watched those beautiful
children be adored by their father (and the rest
of the family, of course). Loren was most of
all a "daddy" in my opinion. I believe he
gained the most satisfaction from that role in
life.
He was a fabulous person and I really regret not
being able to tell him I felt that way before
the chance was gone. My heart is with his
family - in all their extended branches - as
they learn how to live life without him. How
lucky we all were to have known him.
Tammy |
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