Tim Rieckhoff
To the Sons and Family of Mahlon Hetrick,
I first want to apologize for not attending your dad’s memorial / funeral service. I was not aware of it. Had I been aware of it I most certainly would have been there.
Your dad was a very special man in my life. He along with another gentleman by the name of Len Paret led me to Jesus Christ on April 19, 1979. I went on to study the Bible with Len Paret for several years. After Len’s passing, I stayed in touch with your dad throughout the years. We both attended McGregor Baptist Church for many, many years. On a rare occasion your dad and I would get together for breakfast or lunch. I remember getting together with him on the 33rd anniversary of him leading me to Christ. My last meeting with your dad was in December 2023. I had called him on his 94th birthday a few weeks earlier and suggested we have lunch. He said he couldn’t make it that day because all of his sons were visiting but he would really enjoy having lunch soon. So I called him a week later or so and we arranged for me to pick him up to take him lunch. When I got to the door Gary answered and said your dad had dementia and that he is not aware at all that I was coming over going to take time to lunch. I asked if I could visit and, of course, I was invited in and we had a nice visit.
As I said, your dad was a very special man. In addition to his involvement in me accepting Jesus Christ as my personal savior, your dad’s Christian Financial Counseling was also very important in my life. In 1984 right after my wife and I married your dad presented a finance seminar to the young married couples at church. Of course, my wife Gail, and I were in attendance. It really taught us to live below our means and because of that many, many years later we are living comfortably in retirement, I credit your dad greatly for this accomplishment.
Again I want to apologize for not being at your dad’s memorial / funeral service. I lost my own father 40 years ago this year and to be quite frank you never get over it. Rest assured your dad led a great and influential life for Jesus Christ.
Praise Jesus!
Sincerely
Tim Rieckhoff
16959 Colony Lakes Blvd.
Fort Myers, Florida 33908
239-851-5346
[email protected]
