David Henry Blauvelt

Respect is a key word in my memory for David. As lifelong members and both of us from Paramus, I looked up to David as a role model. He and Anita often helped with Alpa Chi events, opening their home to us. A life well-lived as a true Christian. Our heartfelt sympathy to Hank, Bob, Anne and their families. Wilma & Vic Egg

David and Anita were instrumental in gifting to the Biblical Garden. Without their support the garden would not have been constructed. It´s nice to see it "live on" in his memory.

I have told this story many times but this seems to be an ideal place to actually write it down.

Decades ago, I was a member of Old Paramus Reformed Church with a young family and a full-time job commuting to New York City. But I wanted to do something more. So our minister at the time, Linden De Bie, suggested I might want to be the church's liaison with a newly forming organization, the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless (which has since become Family Promise of Bergen County) to house individuals who did not have a place to live in our church. It seemed like a huge project to pull off, organizationally and "politically." My husband was skeptical as to whether I should take on another project, but I told Linden I would look into it. He mentioned it to Dave who was the head of our Mission Committee and Dave invited me to the next Mission Committee meeting to introduce me to the group and discuss further.

I was welcomed at the meeting and Dave called the group to order by beginning with a prayer. He concluded the prayer by saying "and thank you, God, for bringing Kathryn Schmidt into our midst to lead our mission with the homeless." I was stunned. I had said would look into it, but I had never committed.

BUT at that moment...and I get chills just remembering this...it was as if these hundreds of tiny tongues of fire came down and hovered over me --- clearly I was being anointed! It was probably one of the most distinct "calls" I have ever received. I came home and told my husband what had happened and we laughed as we agreed that there was no way to back out now. It was meant to be.

I had three wonderful years with that program, then with our commitment to sheltering families at St. Cecelia's in Englewood and then I took responsibility for our church's work with Paterson Habitat for Humanity. David kicked me into mission work. I am thankful that he remembers Paterson Habitat (now Passaic County Habitat for Humanity) in his legacy.