This morning, my grandfather Dr. Robert M. Maring, retired Methodist minister, former missionary to Pakistan, and World War II veteran, died from congestive heart failure. He had just turned 83 years old a few weeks ago.

He was much beloved by his wife of 63 years and his daughter and grandchildren, by his several congregations in West Virginia and in Pakistan, by his many friends in his adopted home of Port Charlotte, Florida, by his former colleagues in the armed forces, by his late sister and his several neices and nephews, and so many other family and friends and colleagues. He lived to personally visit dozens of nations, to meet with dozens of world leaders, to tend to hundreds (if not thousands) of good people in need of comfort, and to spend his life in love and grace by the strength of his faith. It is rare to know a man of such strong will whose life is dominated not by cynicism, but by optimism. He was a good man who will most certainly be missed.

March 13, 1922 - April 1, 2005