Farewell: A Tribute To Harold Witzig 1927-2016

On January 15, 2016 I received the news that Harold "Bert" Witzig died.

The great men of the world, the eminent scientist, the powerful politician and the religious leader may have shrines or bronze statues to remind future generations of their many accomplishments. Harold Witzig will have no such shrines or monuments.  But, the love and devotion he had for God, his family, friends and others is nonetheless enshrined forever in the folds of our hearts.

We will carry his life into the next generations through and by the wonderful memories he created for us.

I first came to know Bert sometime early in life. I went through the public school system with his son, Scott, who became my best friend. Fortunately for me and in the Lord's wisdom God placed me in a house just a couple of blocks away from the Witzig's.

Scott and I became such pals that I invariably ended up at his house most days especially during the dog days of summer and after school. During that time, Bert became a surrogate father to me and I was drawn to him by the love he showed to his family. I was an eyewitness to his easy ways, his long suffering patience and his concern for this little kid with a big hole in his heart.

You see, I lost my own dad when I was just 7 years old. Until Bert came along in my life I never truly knew what it meant to have a man have your back, or help you turn a simple block of wood into a car for the pinewood derby in Boy Scouts.

After more than a half century of life I can finally come to terms with the loss and pain of losing a parent. But back then I just couldn't figure out why God would allow such a thing to happen. I was lost and just kinda bounced around. But, Bert had this knack for helping me find the path again.

Bert, in own way helped me through that valley. Whether he knew it or not is unknown to me. But, the point is this: he selflessly took the time to be a father figure, friend and a mentor.

He helped me when Scott and I took up with Scout Troop 85. He made sure I had a ride to every scout activity. He made sure I had the right gear and clothes to camp out in the woods.

I remember a conversation I had with Bert about girls back in the late 70s. This would have been just the kind of conversation a father and son would have had.

He even brought up the names of girls from church who he thought would make good wives. In fact, he mentioned the name of the girl I eventually did marry. I remember how pleased he was with the eventual matchup.

The sad news of Bert's death today brought so many memories back. I can see myself, Scott, Jeff and Bert playing a very competitive game of "Horse." Bert was a master of that game. The Witzig's were all good athletes and very competitive. In fact, Bert was the first captain of the Morton High School football team circa 1945.

Bert knew that I was a history buff. So, one day back in 1976 he asked if I wanted to serve on the Morton Historical Society. I was only 16 years old at the time. "Wow! You bet I do" was my quick reply! The board even made me the publicity chairman. I thought I was really something important back then with that appointment. I remember serving with Bert, Bob Conibear the druggist and others whose names are now lost to me.

I can remember Bob Conibear used some real colorful language during the meetings and after a cuss word or two Bert would bend over and whisper in my ear, " Sorry Bruce, it's just Bob. Don't hold it against him." What was funny at the time is that I must have heard these same cuss words a hundred times everyday at school! I didn't have the heart or guts to admit to Bert that these words sometimes even escaped my mouth too. I never wanted to disappoint him.

Unfortunately, later some of the life choices I made certainly disappointed Bert. We all must live with the consequences of our free will and I know I did not live up to the standards I learned from Bert and others. That, makes Bert's death even more poignant for me. I wished I would have searched him out for direction and wisdom back then. But, that's life I guess.

As many of you back in Illinois know, the Witzig's owned a clothing store in Morton which was started in 1910 by Theodore Witzig, Bert's grandfather. The store was a fixture in Morton. It was operated by Gene Witzig, Bert's brother and their cousin, Lloyd Domnick.

Bert and his son Jeff gave me a sales job at Witzig's during the Christmas season of 1978 while I was attending Illinois Central College.

I learned ethics, compassion and leadership from Bert Witzig. I learned about how to walk the Way of Christ. I saw Christ in Bert literally every time I was in his presence. And, let me tell you this; if you knew me as a kid you knew I was always at the Witzig's. Poor Cindy, Gwen and Ann were terrorized by my boyish antics. Sometimes Dort had to send me home because of my bad behavior!

I cannot tell you how many spaghetti and other dinners I ate over there. Bert's wife, Dort, was a fantastic cook. Invariably, I would end up eating all of the leftovers. I can remember Dort calling me her garbage disposal! Bert and Dort were such a great pairing.

After supper Bert would pull out a Bible story book of some kind and read it to us children and then asked us questions. I received a sound theological education from those evenings seated on the benches around the Witzig supper table.

Bert and Dort and the family suffered their share of loss to be sure. Jeff, their son died in the summer of 1980 from Leukemia I believe. I think Jeff was only 25 years old. He was married at the time to Teresa. They were such a happy couple I recall.

Even now after 36 years I can tear up thinking of Jeff. He was my boss in charge of the Men's Department at Witzig's Clothing Store. He was a dutiful manager and had a great sense of style and knew what the customer wanted. Jeff was one of those people that were just fun to be around. Bert taught him, Scott and Phil all they knew about the retail clothing business.

Bert so loved his daughters, Ann, Gwen and Cindy as well. You see, that was and is the crux of the thing. Bert knew how to love people. And, he did it so well.

He was a leader, a truly great husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, Sunday School teacher, businessman and all around great human being. But above all he was a giant of a man. A Christian man who will be remembered down through the generations of not only the Witzig's but he will also be remembered by many others his life impacted including that little lost kid back in the 60s and 70s who sorely needed a dad.

I inevitably lost touch with this great man through the inevitabilities and vagaries of life. But, now I realize that just when I needed him he was there. I wish Bert and I could have had a cup of coffee at Eli's Coffee Shop back home just so I could have said goodbye.

Fare thee well, Bert Witzig. Trust me, you will never be forgotten. We too are on our journey home and on some bright day we shall see you again in the sweet bye and bye when we meet on that beautiful shore. Rest in peace my dear old friend.

BR Schoenbein
January 15, 2016