Arizona Visit 2012

My trip last weekend to Arizona was a quick, unplanned one. Rock's memorial service was very nice, and, for a change, not one where I was constantly wiping my eyes. Not that I wasn't sad he was gone - I miss him, to be sure. But the tone was so in keeping with Rock's personality that I couldn't help but think how pleased he'd be. His son, Jeff, told stories and related memories that kept us chuckling. He captured Rock's whole being, and we were all nodding our heads in agreement and remembering fond tales of our own.

Funny how it's weddings and funerals that keep you going back to a place you once lived. And those events bring other loved ones and friends together, too. Rock's service was like a mini American Greetings reunion. Ron, Ray, Bob, Otto, and I were all there to pay our respects and to catch up with each other, too. It was like a deja vu experience to have us all in one place again. Only Ron and Otto are still hard at it... 

I visited with Nancy a bit the day before, and after the service, at her home. I think she's still in shock. Hugs to her...

While in town, I also made time to get together with other friends I have too little time to see. While birthday shopping for Emily, I met Fannie and Tony for lunch at Wildflower Cafe. That evening, I arranged  to meet friends for dinner/drinks at Garlic and Shots, and was thrilled to be able to visit with Norma, Barry, Mark, and Patti. So great to catch up with everyone's lives even though we live so far apart. Good food and good friends are a great combination. Elaine was out of town until the day I was leaving, but I was able to squeeze a few minutes in with her en route back to the airport Monday afternoon. So happy I got to see so many people!

I am grateful that I had so much time with Susan and Terry, who graciously offered their home to me as my own personal B&B while I was in town. Thanks, you two!

Although it was a sad occasion that brought me to Phoenix, but it was, without a doubt, a beautiful time to visit. Everything, it seemed, was in bloom. En route to the car rental center from the airport, I was awed by the beauty of the Palo Verde trees, evidenced in other areas around town, as well.



Then, lo and behold, I saw a saguaro cactus in full bloom. Now, I associate blooming saguaros with Mother's Day; seems to me I remember them blooming around mid-May. So I was surprised and delighted to see them blooming in late April. Determined to get a picture, I started searching in town - because, of course, I hadn't had my camera available when I needed it.

But luck was not with me. I found plenty of saguaros budded out...



... but none in bloom where I could stop for a photo. In desperation, I tried to capture an image in my side view mirror while at a stop light.

 

Finally, I saw a pair blooming in a church parking lot, and was able to get a picture or two.



My personal favorite desert plant is the ocotillo. Guess what? They were blooming, too!



Then, there was jacaranda, bougainvillaea (vine and bush), oleander, and jasmine.




Traditional yuccas and the more delicate red yuccas were stunning.

 

The beauty of the flora helped to offset the reality of 100+ degree temps - which I am not used to any more. Wouldn't you know I'd arrive on the first 100 degree day of the year? Luckily, it is still early enough in the season that it still cools off at night to a comfortable temp. And the sunsets are still spectacular - just like I remember!

 

Rest in Peace, Rock

At a time when I was floundering for a direction in  my life, and really didn't know which way to go, Rock took a chance on me. After eleven years in the classroom in three different states, I was frustrated with teaching and all the bureaucracy associated with education. I wanted a change in my life and my career, but I still didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I applied for a job as a merchandiser for American Greetings. Rock, my would-be boss, interviewed me. He told me flat-out that I was over-qualified for the job, but he also intuited that I was a hard worker and thorough, to boot - just what he needed. Later, when Rock and another Supervisor retired, I applied for and was promoted to a Supervisor myself, with his encouragement.

Without the boss/employee barrier between us, Rock, Nancy, and my family developed a new relationship - that of friends. When I had children, with my own parents 2,000 miles away, Rock and Nancy became adopted grandparents to Sarah and Emily. They never let a birthday or holiday go by without acknowledgement. We drove across town to their house in Halloween costumes; they came to ours for kids' birthday parties.

Rock was always quick with a quip, possessing a sense of humor unequaled by many. He had a charisma that drew strangers in and quickly turned them into friends. He had a ready smile and a head of hair that was envied by men his age and younger. He loved to fish and he loved to gamble; now that I think of it, the two have a lot in common. You throw something in, and, if you wait long enough, you just might pull something out. If there is a heaven, Rock is there, surrounded by friends old and new, regaling them with stories (some true, some not), with a big smile on his face.

In Memory of

Ralph William "Rock" Buntrock

December 30, 1927 - April 17, 2012

Obituary

.Ralph William "Rock" Buntrock - made his peaceful transition to Heaven on April 17, 2012 in Gilbert, Arizona. A loving and devoted father and brother, Rock is preceded in death by his beautiful daughter Jacquelyn and brothers Harold and Virgil. He is survived by his son Jeff and sister "Bunny". Rock is also survived by his loving, longtime companion Nancy.
Rock was an engaging man with a quick wit, an ever-present playful nature, and a kind and generous heart. Rock is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and had an illustrious 34-year career with American Greetings Corporation achieving the company's coveted "Lifetime Pacesetter" status as Salesman and District Manager.
Friends are invited to attend 11:00 AM Memorial Services on Monday, April 23, 2012 at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd. in Chandler, Arizona. Memorial contributions in Rock's name to theAmerican Cancer Society , Arizona Humane Society, or Hospice of the Valley preferred.