It had been our privilege to know Ed Bruggeman and his wife for some years. Although they lived in another community and were not members of the congregation we then served, we shared a variety of interests and were always pleased to visit and spend time with them. One of those interests had involved serving together on a particular religious board. Another was Gospel music.
In going through a number of old cassette tapes this past week, my wife ran across a tape bearing the label, "Burl and Ed." Nothing more. To our surprise, it turned out to be a copy of the regularly scheduled radio program I used to do out of Sioux City, Iowa back in the 'eighties. Sometimes we did the programs live; more often they were recorded. Equally surprising, particularly given the present Easter season, was the fact that this particular program had aired on an Easter Sunday, although I do not know the precise year. On this program Ed had sung a couple Easter related songs. I was unaware of having any copies from this, or for that matter, any other series of programs we had done through the years.
Sometime later, Ed was in Canada on a fishing trip. Standing in the boat he suddenly fell dead of a heart attack. We were privileged to take part in his funeral service. I shall never forget the sense of divine presence that attended that service. In fact, the minister preaching the message issued an invitation at its conclusion for a show of hands by those desiring prayer that they too might come to know Christ. It drew a positive response. I am sure this was not his normal procedure - but the sense of God's Spirit was unmistakably real.
And so, as I played the tape (indeed, more than once), it would not have taken much to have shed a few tears. Ed, we shall one day see you again.
For, "Because He lives, we too shall live."
Burl Ratzsch
