Comments for Michigan Peace Team's Weblog http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com Pursuing peace through active nonviolence in places of conflict Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:10:32 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Mary Kay Rathke http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-64 Mary Kay Rathke Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:10:32 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-64 I just learned of Bill's death from a mutual friend, and my husband Ahmed and I are still in shock and grief! He was always an inspiration to me in Peace Education Center committee work and a great friend, easy-going, ever-positive, encouraging and loving. We were back at work in the United Arab Emirates before the tragedy occurred, but are so sorry to have not been able to attend the wake. Our love and sorrow are shared with his loving and greatly loved family, Julia, Hesham and his wife. We will miss a great friend to the world! Mary Kay Rathke Ahmed Hussein I just learned of Bill’s death from a mutual friend, and my husband Ahmed and I are still in shock and grief! He was always an inspiration to me in Peace Education Center committee work and a great friend, easy-going, ever-positive, encouraging and loving. We were back at work in the United Arab Emirates before the tragedy occurred, but are so sorry to have not been able to attend the wake. Our love and sorrow are shared with his loving and greatly loved family, Julia, Hesham and his wife. We will miss a great friend to the world!

Mary Kay Rathke
Ahmed Hussein

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by dr.musa barhoum http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-56 dr.musa barhoum Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:56:43 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-56 i was shocked to learn about his death.he was a hero supporting the palestinian course , a loving human being, whom many of us in palestina will never forget. my deep condolences to julia , god bless his soul. i was shocked to learn about his death.he was a hero supporting the palestinian course , a loving human being, whom many of us in palestina will never forget. my deep condolences to julia , god bless his soul.

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Michelle http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-53 Michelle Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:20:58 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-53 A LOG IS AN EXPONENT. I wrote this the other day for my students in rural Uganda, and couldn't help but think of Bill, or Mr. Petry as I was remembering him. First as a mathematics teacher at LCC, then as an activism mentor with PPSC and finally support as I learned to be an educator, and sent students to him. Bill made a huge impact on my life in more ways than he would ever have known, and is continuing to do so as I teach my math classes, ride my bicycle and am politically active, a world away. Thank you, you will be deeply, fundamentally missed. A LOG IS AN EXPONENT. I wrote this the other day for my students in rural Uganda, and couldn’t help but think of Bill, or Mr. Petry as I was remembering him. First as a mathematics teacher at LCC, then as an activism mentor with PPSC and finally support as I learned to be an educator, and sent students to him. Bill made a huge impact on my life in more ways than he would ever have known, and is continuing to do so as I teach my math classes, ride my bicycle and am politically active, a world away. Thank you, you will be deeply, fundamentally missed.

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Mary Pat Dewey http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-52 Mary Pat Dewey Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:06:40 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-52 I think we all need inspiration in our work for peace and justice and I would like to share mine with you. Last week when I received a phone call that a friend of mine, Bill Petry, had been hit by a truck and killed as he was riding his bicycle I was overwhelmed with grief and disbelief. I work with death and dying every day in a health care center but these are women who are prepared and expect to die. I help them to make that final journey. Bill's death was a shock out of the blue but I believe that he too in some peaceful way was ready by the life that he led. Bill and I served together on the finance committee of the Michigan Peace Team. Our little group met once a month. Bill’s entire life was spent in giving and working for others. I remember him as always gentle and peaceful yet strong and organized. I have never been to a Wake and Funeral so inspiring than last Friday and Saturday. Every chair was filled and hundreds were standing. It was a totally diverse group – family, students & faculty from Lansing community college where he taught, every peace group imaginable, African Americans, Haitians, Hispanics, Middle Easterners, bikers, homeless, children, and adults. The service went on for almost two hours with remembrances of Bill. I would guess that there were over 100 cars in the funeral procession. The funeral parlor ran out of flags and had to put them on every other car. I am inspired to ask what more can I do. May we all continue our work for peace in whatever way we are able. Mary Pat Dewey I think we all need inspiration in our work for peace and justice and I would like to share mine with you. Last week when I received a phone call that a friend of mine, Bill Petry, had been hit by a truck and killed as he was riding his bicycle I was overwhelmed with grief and disbelief. I work with death and dying every day in a health care center but these are women who are prepared and expect to die. I help them to make that final journey. Bill’s death was a shock out of the blue but I believe that he too in some peaceful way was ready by the life that he led.

Bill and I served together on the finance committee of the Michigan Peace Team. Our little group met once a month. Bill’s entire life was spent in giving and working for others. I remember him as always gentle and peaceful yet strong and organized.

I have never been to a Wake and Funeral so inspiring than last Friday and Saturday. Every chair was filled and hundreds were standing. It was a totally diverse group – family, students & faculty from Lansing community college where he taught, every peace group imaginable, African Americans, Haitians, Hispanics, Middle Easterners, bikers, homeless, children, and adults.

The service went on for almost two hours with remembrances of Bill. I would guess that there were over 100 cars in the funeral procession. The funeral parlor ran out of flags and had to put them on every other car.

I am inspired to ask what more can I do. May we all continue our work for peace in whatever way we are able.

Mary Pat Dewey

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Joan Tirak http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-51 Joan Tirak Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:53:13 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-51 The crowds kept coming – the seemingly endless line of mourners paying homage to this Man of Peace just kept pouring into Tiffany’s Funeral Home last Friday. At the funeral service on Saturday morning, every single seat was filled leaving standing room only for the hundreds who came to bid farewell to Bill and to support his family. None of us would ever have known the true depth and breadth of his love and passion for peace without the physical presence and vocal tributes of all those who came to his funeral. Folks representing LCC faculty, staff & students; Peace Education Center; Michigan Peace Team; Pax Christi Michigan; Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice; Lansing’s West Side neighbors; bikers and more. What a tribute to Bill, and to his beloved wife, son and daughter-in-law. I know they felt overwhelmed with the love, sympathy and compassion shown by all. Thank you, Bill, for enriching all of our lives with your spirit, your love, your hope, your hard work and passion for justice and peace throughout the world. We will miss your gentle presence and persistent spirit. With love & peace, Joan Tirak On behalf of Pax Christi Michigan The crowds kept coming – the seemingly endless line of mourners paying homage to this Man of Peace just kept pouring into Tiffany’s Funeral Home last Friday. At the funeral service on Saturday morning, every single seat was filled leaving standing room only for the hundreds who came to bid farewell to Bill and to support his family. None of us would ever have known the true depth and breadth of his love and passion for peace without the physical presence and vocal tributes of all those who came to his funeral. Folks representing LCC faculty, staff & students; Peace Education Center; Michigan Peace Team; Pax Christi Michigan; Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice; Lansing’s West Side neighbors; bikers and more. What a tribute to Bill, and to his beloved wife, son and daughter-in-law. I know they felt overwhelmed with the love, sympathy and compassion shown by all. Thank you, Bill, for enriching all of our lives with your spirit, your love, your hope, your hard work and passion for justice and peace throughout the world. We will miss your gentle presence and persistent spirit.

With love & peace,
Joan Tirak
On behalf of Pax Christi Michigan

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Ann Francis http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-49 Ann Francis Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:38:03 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-49 For almost eight years Bill Petry was a part of the Lansing Peace Vigil which gathers at Friday noon in front of the Michigan Capitol. Bill's favorite sign was Honk for Peace. Bill was our peace and justice friend. We will miss him very much. The Peace Vigil community will keep Bill's spirit alive in our work and we will remember him in our closing circle. Honk for Peace! Honk for Justice! Honk for Bill! For almost eight years Bill Petry was a part of the Lansing Peace Vigil which gathers at Friday noon in front of the Michigan Capitol. Bill’s favorite sign was Honk for Peace. Bill was our peace and justice friend. We will miss him very much. The Peace Vigil community will keep Bill’s spirit alive in our work and we will remember him in our closing circle.
Honk for Peace! Honk for Justice! Honk for Bill!

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Cheryl Rohrkemper http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-48 Cheryl Rohrkemper Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:58:18 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-48 To all those that knew Bill and loved him, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Cheryl To all those that knew Bill and loved him, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cheryl

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Ali Elbast http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-47 Ali Elbast Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:11:40 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-47 Bill Petry is my hero, Every thing about this man is heroic he inspired me to be a better person a week before his death I was telling my beloved wife about this hero how he spend most his live fighting for the future of our children. I love riding my bicycle too But I did not have the honor to ride with bill, I will be riding my bicycle thinking of my hero...(Bill Petry). All the love from me & my family To his wife Julia Who he loved very much. We are sorry for missing the funeral, We were in Chicago when this happend --- Ali Elbast & Family & alielbast@yahoo.com Bill Petry is my hero, Every thing about this man is heroic he inspired me to be a better person a week before his death I was telling my beloved wife about this hero how he spend most his live fighting for the future of our children. I love riding my bicycle too But I did not have the honor to ride with bill, I will be riding my bicycle thinking of my hero…(Bill Petry). All the love from me & my family To his wife Julia Who he loved very much.
We are sorry for missing the funeral, We were in Chicago when this happend —
Ali Elbast & Family
& alielbast@yahoo.com

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Sheri http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-46 Sheri Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:50:31 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-46 It is heartening to see how many people I know have posted notes about Bill on their FB site or commented in one of the numerous blogs,articles or other places to do so. It is such a testiment to how many lives he touched. What an amazing individual. I was always moved by Bill's deep love for Julia. Such a fantastic couple. There are many stories I will think of in remembering Bill, but the common thing that weaves them together was his willingness to help. A loan (which of course became a gift) when getting lost means I arrived with an empty tank of gas and a long ride back home, the endless calls to find folks to do roleplays or to line up a space for an MPT training, a driver for a conference, sticking around to pick up chairs after an event.... the list goes on. Always willing to work behind the scenes and give of himself - his deep commitment to justice and peace and his genuine affection for people and enjoyment of life came across to all of us who were lucky enough to call him a friend. It is heartening to see how many people I know have posted notes about Bill on their FB site or commented in one of the numerous blogs,articles or other places to do so. It is such a testiment to how many lives he touched.

What an amazing individual.

I was always moved by Bill’s deep love for Julia. Such a fantastic couple. There are many stories I will think of in remembering Bill, but the common thing that weaves them together was his willingness to help. A loan (which of course became a gift) when getting lost means I arrived with an empty tank of gas and a long ride back home, the endless calls to find folks to do roleplays or to line up a space for an MPT training, a driver for a conference, sticking around to pick up chairs after an event…. the list goes on. Always willing to work behind the scenes and give of himself – his deep commitment to justice and peace and his genuine affection for people and enjoyment of life came across to all of us who were lucky enough to call him a friend.

]]> Comment on Remembering a Peacemaker… by Teresa Disch, OP http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/remembering-a-peacemaker/#comment-45 Teresa Disch, OP Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:24:35 +0000 http://michiganpeaceteam.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-45 How very tragic for the Bill's family, the Michigan Peace Team, our world in desparate need of peacemakers, and for all the people Bill has ministered with and to in his many years of dedicated service. How very tragic for the Bill’s family, the Michigan Peace Team, our world in desparate need of peacemakers, and for all the people Bill has ministered with and to in his many years of dedicated service.

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