Subscribe free to our daily email newsletterCarl Henn Memorial Service
Aug 2, 2010 9:00 - 5 Comments
A standing-room only crowd gathered Saturday morning to pay their final respects and to share their memories of the life of community leader Carl Henn. All aspects of the event seemed stamped with Carl’s special qualities — from humor, to intense passion for the environment and concern over our overdependence on petroleum, to love of music, to building community. A number of attendees, in honor of Carl’s passion for bicycle commuting, cycled to the ceremony in distinctive yellow jerseys.
As participants gathered, they were treated to a soundtrack that included “Jammin’” by Bob Marley and “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen. Meanwhile, a slideshow looped on a stage screen. The slideshow was not a series of photos from Carl’s life, as one might expect. No, it was a PowerPoint deck that he had developed, his primer on peak oil. It continued playing throughout the ceremony, providing a counterpoint to speakers and raising consciousness.
A display in the lobby of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre pulled together many threads in Carl’s life: a wheelbarrow, a canoe, his bike, a guitar, a map of the community garden plots in Rockville.
The program featured three quotes:
“Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.” — Tecumseh
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” — Abraham Lincoln
“Here’s what I think the truth is: We are all addicts of fossil fuels in a state of denial, about to face cold turkey.” — Kurt Vonnegut
Sara-May Colon served as chaplain for the ceremony, opening with a reflection on the meaning Carl’s life holds for the community. Then, a number of significant people in Carl’s life spoke.
- John Marek, a childhood friend
- Diane Frasier, a colleague at NIH
- Phyllis Marcuccio, mayor of Rockville
- Art Stigile, a neighbor, friend, and active in the Hungerford Civic Association
- Nancy Breen, a colleague at NIH and fellow bicycle commuter
- Dennis McCarthy, a community garden advocate
- Chris Gaafary, Carl’s nephew
Following each photo, click the link to listen to their speech (most are under ten minutes).
John Marek speech Diane Frasier speechHere is video of Mayor Marcuccio’s speech:
Art Stigile speech Nancy Breen speech Dennis McCarthy speech Chris Gaafary speechIt was a lovely service and a fitting memorial to a man who leaves behind a powerful legacy.
5 Comments
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Bless you for posting this! The ceremony was such a comfort to me and the rest of the family. It was amazing to see so many there, and so wonderful to hear how he had touched the lives of so many in his passion to improve community life and to prepare the country/state/community for the future impact of declining oil reserves on our way of life for our children and grandchildren. Thank you so much for providing a way that that family & friends who were not able to be there can experience the same comfort.
You’re most welcome, Jo. Carl was a very special man. -Brad
This was such a wonderful service, and truly captured the essence of who Carl was and what he did for so many people. It was so difficult to describe to people what it was like and I am thrilled ot have these fabulous speeches posted so that we can share it with others who couldn’t be there.
I’ve been a Rockville resident for 22 years and a Montgomery County resident since birth so I’ve read about Carl and all of his civic activities. But I never knew he was the brother of Mark — who I knew in college in the 80s. Great to read and hear all these tributes to Carl here.
Brad thank you for recapturing Carl Henn’s memorial service with this posting. There were so many people in attendance I did not know if you were there. This is a very nice summary and especially nice for those who were unable to attend.
Everyone I talked to this week even outside of Rockville heard about Carl’s tragic story. We truly have lost a great friend. The tribute to Carl was very appropriate. I also thank the City of Rockville for having the service at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and thank Carol Henn for allowing the special people to speak about Carl.
I especially enjoyed Carl Henn’s nephew Chris Gaafary’s speech. What a nice thing to say about his uncle!!
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