The Family of Robert and Susan

The Family of Robert and Susan

Search

Skip to content

Welcome
The Stories
The Memorial
Contribute
Site Map

Search for:

2004Kayak

Site Map

Something to help you navigate this site coming soon!

Photos

Robert and Susan’s descendants at the Merck Forest memorial bench

This week we all ventured to Merck Forest to see firsthand — for the first time — a bench installed in memory of our parents Robert and Susan. Located at Merck Forest and Farmland Center in Rupert, Vermont, the granite bench sits overlooking Page Pond near the farm’s barn, sap house, and horse shed. Simple, strong, and a bit rugged, the bench is graced by this simple inscription:

Sitting on this beautifully-designed bench overlooking Merck’s farm was awe-inspiring for us. It’s so humbling that this tribute to our parents will be located in perpetuity in a place they loved so dearly.

The bench overlooks Page Pond at Merck’s Farm Center

We are deeply grateful to our great family friend Dave, who conceived of the bench memorial and found a local craftsperson — John Hikory — to make it a reality. We are also thankful that the staff and trustees of Merck Forest — most prominently Communications Coordinator Marybeth Leu and Executive Director Tom Ward — felt that this memorial fit well with Merck’s important mission to demonstrate the benefits of innovative, sustainable management of forest and farmland.

Our first visit to the Memorial Bench at Merck Forest
July 5, 2016 Chris Leave a comment
Grandpa Homer with Mom at the Casa de las Campanas, 2000

Towards the end of his life, my grandfather was not particular happy. He had loved having a small yard and a garage and a sailboat, and as he grew older he lost all of these things. Into their eighties, Grandpa and Grandma moved into the Casa de las Campanas retirement home, a change that was probably great for Grandma but further isolated Grandpa from the things that he loved.

So this picture, taken when Grandpa was in his mid-eighties, is really dear to me. As you can see, he and his daughter share the same spry, almost-mischievous smile. Grandpa was an ardent joker and tease, but this was a part of his personality that he mostly reserved for his family. Mom was kind of his protege in this regard, as she clearly inherited the largest portion of Grandpa’s funny streak. I love how this picture captures Grandpa and Mom, both with their warm smiles, so clearly happy in each other’s presence.

That Williams smile (and implied wit), 2000
November 13, 2015 Chris Leave a comment
Beasley and the under-construction wineglass wherry, Grandview garage, 2002

This might seem like a really unremarkable picture to most people, but for me it is so potent with memories, capturing a lot of what we grew up around.

You’ve got Beasley, Mom and Dad’s last of many dogs, waiting patiently for his red kong toy to be thrown for him. Many of our dogs were enthusiastic retrievers, with only part of their enthusiasm in-born: Dad loved to be out in the yard or garage, and while working would toss a ball or other favorite dog toy for as many rounds as the dogs would return.

And then there’s the controlled chaos of the garage, made especially crazy by the construction of one of Dad’s boats. I love the mess of tools, ladders, and wood in the background: very Dad. And the floor of the garage is also very evocative of the many projects that Mom and Dad undertook. It’s stained like crazy with all manner of paint, epoxy, driveway sealant, and who knows what else.

Beasley and the Wineglass Wherry, Grandview Garage, 2002
November 12, 2015 Chris Leave a comment
Grandma and Grandpa with Meg and Family, 1977

I don’t know a lot about where this picture was taken, but I am guessing it was Iowa.

John stands tall in the back flanked by Grandpa and Grandma. Meg’s in the middle with Brian, Janice, and Bobby in front of her.

Grandma and Grandpa visit Meg and family, Iowa City?, 1977
November 11, 2015 Chris Leave a comment
Jensen family photo, Albany, NY, 1977

This is a rather complete family picture from Karen and Charlie’s house outside of Albany, NY.

Standing are Uncle Eric and Uncle Charlie.

In the next row are Penny, Grandad, Dad, Mom, Eric, and Aunt Karen.

In front are Ken with Brian, Sam with Chris, Robin with Laura, and Andy. And I believe that’s Melissa — the child of one of Mom and Dad’s college friends — on the far right.

What makes me laugh about this picture is how our older cousins seem to have adopted one younger cousin each… with Eric and Andy seemingly not matched up.

A complete Jensen family shot from 1977
November 10, 2015 Chris Leave a comment

More images →

Categories

Activities (5)
- Beach (1)
- Biking (1)
- DIY (1)
- Gardening (1)
- Hiking & Camping (2)
- Kayaking (3)
- Traveling (2)
Dogs (1)
- Beasley (1)
People (19)
- Brothers & Sisters (4)
  - Charlie (2)
  - Eric W. (2)
  - John (2)
  - Karen (2)
  - Meg (2)
  - Penny (2)
- Grandchildren (5)
  - Gaia (3)
  - Jack (3)
  - Quinn (2)
  - Riley (3)
  - Thea (2)
- Nieces & Nephews (3)
  - Andy (2)
  - Bobby (1)
  - Brian B. (1)
  - Brian J. (2)
  - Janice (1)
  - Ken (2)
  - Laura (1)
  - Robin (2)
  - Sam (2)
- Parents (7)
  - Gertrude (4)
  - Homer M. (4)
  - Norman (2)
- Robert (7)
- Sons & Daughters (10)
  - Chris (7)
  - Eric (9)
  - Mary (3)
  - Teresa (1)
- Susan (14)
Places (16)
- 56 Grandview (4)
- Albany (1)
- Centerport (1)
- Costa Rica (1)
- Hunter College High School (1)
- Liberia (1)
- Merck Forest (4)
- San Diego (4)
- Uganda (1)

A site remembering our parents and everything they made possible

Search for:

Recent Posts

Tribute to My Mother, July 6, 2016 July 30, 2016
Our first visit to the Memorial Bench at Merck Forest July 5, 2016
A tribute to Mom from Steve Nussbaum April 12, 2016
That Williams smile (and implied wit), 2000 November 13, 2015
Beasley and the Wineglass Wherry, Grandview Garage, 2002 November 12, 2015
Grandma and Grandpa visit Meg and family, Iowa City?, 1977 November 11, 2015
A complete Jensen family shot from 1977 November 10, 2015
Eric and Chris with Grandma and Grandpa in front of the Grandview House, 1978 November 9, 2015
Mom with Grandma and Grandpa (and unknown relatives) at the Casa, 1998 November 8, 2015
With Meg & John at 56 Grandview Street, 1984 November 7, 2015

Recent Comments

Melissa Vilmure on Mom with Grandma and Grandpa (and unknown relatives) at the Casa, 1998

Archives

July 2016 (2)
April 2016 (1)
November 2015 (12)
October 2015 (5)

Proudly powered by WordPress