It is with great sadness that I read of Bill’s passing in the morning paper. I met Bill as a classmate in Leadership Lancaster in 1998. This great program brought together many diverse and interesting people who wanted to make a contribution to their community, and Bill was always willing to give his time and energy to making Lancaster County a better place. We spent a few years togethter working the phones for our LL class. Bill was always a postive person – no complaints or negativity about anyone or anything (that’s not to say he didn’t have his opinions though.) My condolences to all whose lives he touched and especially his wife and children. He was a good man.
I didn’t know Bill all that well…I’d see him pick up his grandkids from time to time at the school; I cooked a meal for him once, at my house, a Moroccan dinner he’d bought at the Waldorf School auction…it was a damned good meal that he appreciated magnanimously–Lamb b’stella, Chicken and Olives, homemade baklava…
He had a quiet, aware presence, real bodhisattvic qualities. One only has to know Kirsten, to know that her father must have been an extraordinary individual, a hidden practitioner in the Tibetan sense, immense qualities behind a facade of respectability and humbleness. We are better as a world because of Bill. Let us celebrate his life together by being better ourselves.
Bill and I go back to the days he would stroll into his Uncle Kenelm’s law office full of laugher and a quest for answers to questions. Bill never stopped in the office without first stopping to see me, which at times wasn’t easy, since my office space moved on a fairly regular basis. Bill would always have something new of interest to tell you and loved sharing with those he loved. Regardless of where I was (grocery shopping, etc.), Bill would always remind me of our earlier days together. You became addicted to his personality and laughter. Sue and family, I grieve with you in your sorrow, but delight in the joy of having known Bill for so many years. How blessed we all are having him as part of our years of growing into the persons we have become. My prayers are with you and yours.
Bill Updike was the only guy with a mustache that i never thought was gay or a cop. Or a gay cop. I think ladies actually liked that thing. He had this coy smile under it that made me think (as a kid) that he knew stuff other people didn’t, and could get away with anything, and as a kid who couldn’t get away with anything, i wanted that power.
He had such a dead-pan delivery that when i first met him i had a hard time telling when he was joking or not. Til i caught on to what he was up to. I work a personalized variation of the Bill dead-pan to this day. The secret is laughing at what other people say, not what you do.
i’ve missed the ‘stache for a couple years now.
now i miss the rest of him.
OK, this is attempt #3 – I keep getting distracted by the other comments, pictures/slide show, memories. . . thank you Sue, Kir, Kris and Jason for this wonderful tribute of love to Bill! How can I start with memories without going to the beginning? Only Bill Updike (with his sidekick Sue) would organize an entire apartment complex cook out, complete with a game of capture the flag in the dark!! Always engaging others in fun and with random acts of kindness. Your quote from Kahlil Gabran is SO appropriate – I weep for that which has been such a delight. I will so miss seeing you in the flesh, Bill, but your spirit will be with us always!
Love to you all – Sue and “kids”
Dear Sue and children…I was shocked when I read of Bill’s passing. He is, as has been said, so positive and upbeat, full of fun, and good ideas. His laughter bubbled inside, you could feel the delight he experienced with people and life. I have never heard him raise his voice or speak against anyone in a negative way. We could all follow his example.
My prayers are for Susan and the children.
I met Bill at the Updike estate in the Fall of last year. In true Updike fashion, I got to meet a lot of amazing people all in one evening! Actually I met everyone in three minutes because a strange dog occurance was happening and Bill and I had a chuckle at things only seen on Animal Plancet; whereas, Kristofer was mortified and Sue said something to Kristofer about this is our family take it or leave it John! I took it and ate to white bean chili as I met Sandy on the fly being escorted from the house by Kristofer. Three minutes. Later Kristofer brought me back to the house with more amazing conversation with just BIll and Sue. Bill had switched to the one saying, “John take it or leave it!” instead of Sue this time. The four of us know why Bill had such encouragement. The Updikes with BIll in the lead, when Sue let him lead, are an amazing family that I can kindly call friends now and believe Team Updike will stay as kind and open to all newcomers because of Captain Bill’s lead. Bill nicely done, I am sure you are proud of all of your team members!
Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping
for that which has been your delight." -- Kahlil Gibran
August 17th, 2010 at 10:54 am
It is with great sadness that I read of Bill’s passing in the morning paper. I met Bill as a classmate in Leadership Lancaster in 1998. This great program brought together many diverse and interesting people who wanted to make a contribution to their community, and Bill was always willing to give his time and energy to making Lancaster County a better place. We spent a few years togethter working the phones for our LL class. Bill was always a postive person – no complaints or negativity about anyone or anything (that’s not to say he didn’t have his opinions though.) My condolences to all whose lives he touched and especially his wife and children. He was a good man.
August 17th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I didn’t know Bill all that well…I’d see him pick up his grandkids from time to time at the school; I cooked a meal for him once, at my house, a Moroccan dinner he’d bought at the Waldorf School auction…it was a damned good meal that he appreciated magnanimously–Lamb b’stella, Chicken and Olives, homemade baklava…
He had a quiet, aware presence, real bodhisattvic qualities. One only has to know Kirsten, to know that her father must have been an extraordinary individual, a hidden practitioner in the Tibetan sense, immense qualities behind a facade of respectability and humbleness. We are better as a world because of Bill. Let us celebrate his life together by being better ourselves.
August 17th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Bill and I go back to the days he would stroll into his Uncle Kenelm’s law office full of laugher and a quest for answers to questions. Bill never stopped in the office without first stopping to see me, which at times wasn’t easy, since my office space moved on a fairly regular basis. Bill would always have something new of interest to tell you and loved sharing with those he loved. Regardless of where I was (grocery shopping, etc.), Bill would always remind me of our earlier days together. You became addicted to his personality and laughter. Sue and family, I grieve with you in your sorrow, but delight in the joy of having known Bill for so many years. How blessed we all are having him as part of our years of growing into the persons we have become. My prayers are with you and yours.
August 20th, 2010 at 2:43 am
Bill Updike was the only guy with a mustache that i never thought was gay or a cop. Or a gay cop. I think ladies actually liked that thing. He had this coy smile under it that made me think (as a kid) that he knew stuff other people didn’t, and could get away with anything, and as a kid who couldn’t get away with anything, i wanted that power.
He had such a dead-pan delivery that when i first met him i had a hard time telling when he was joking or not. Til i caught on to what he was up to. I work a personalized variation of the Bill dead-pan to this day. The secret is laughing at what other people say, not what you do.
i’ve missed the ‘stache for a couple years now.
now i miss the rest of him.
August 21st, 2010 at 7:33 pm
OK, this is attempt #3 – I keep getting distracted by the other comments, pictures/slide show, memories. . . thank you Sue, Kir, Kris and Jason for this wonderful tribute of love to Bill! How can I start with memories without going to the beginning? Only Bill Updike (with his sidekick Sue) would organize an entire apartment complex cook out, complete with a game of capture the flag in the dark!! Always engaging others in fun and with random acts of kindness. Your quote from Kahlil Gabran is SO appropriate – I weep for that which has been such a delight. I will so miss seeing you in the flesh, Bill, but your spirit will be with us always!
Love to you all – Sue and “kids”
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:38 am
Dear Sue and children…I was shocked when I read of Bill’s passing. He is, as has been said, so positive and upbeat, full of fun, and good ideas. His laughter bubbled inside, you could feel the delight he experienced with people and life. I have never heard him raise his voice or speak against anyone in a negative way. We could all follow his example.
My prayers are for Susan and the children.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
dear Susan and “all”, we were shockd and saddened by Bill’s passing. You’re in our prayers.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
I met Bill at the Updike estate in the Fall of last year. In true Updike fashion, I got to meet a lot of amazing people all in one evening! Actually I met everyone in three minutes because a strange dog occurance was happening and Bill and I had a chuckle at things only seen on Animal Plancet; whereas, Kristofer was mortified and Sue said something to Kristofer about this is our family take it or leave it John! I took it and ate to white bean chili as I met Sandy on the fly being escorted from the house by Kristofer. Three minutes. Later Kristofer brought me back to the house with more amazing conversation with just BIll and Sue. Bill had switched to the one saying, “John take it or leave it!” instead of Sue this time. The four of us know why Bill had such encouragement. The Updikes with BIll in the lead, when Sue let him lead, are an amazing family that I can kindly call friends now and believe Team Updike will stay as kind and open to all newcomers because of Captain Bill’s lead. Bill nicely done, I am sure you are proud of all of your team members!