www.NeilGilmer.com

The little things

2012-02-10T14:13:00.006-05:00

The below expresses, well, some of Neil's final weeks of reflection he shared.
Dean
__________________

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
-Robert Bault

2012-02-08T02:54:00.003-05:00

2012-02-08T02:33:00.007-05:00

Memories of Neil on his 71st Birthday

2012-02-07T16:39:00.002-05:00

As I sit at my computer, looking out the front window over the sweeping yard where Neil and I grew up, memories are flashing back today, Neil's birthday. Actually, now that I think about it we DID grow up outside.
That's probably why Neil remained devoted to the great outdoors and all that it offered him throughout his life.

Here are a few of the strongest images that are flashing in front of me today:

The dust flying up from behind his great green Schwinn... as he'd tear down the road. Rapid, responsive acceleration was always important to my big brother. That bicycle is propped up against a horse stall in the old barn to this day, probably in the exact place he left it the day he purchased his green '55 Chevy.

Ah, how he'd speed shift through that "three-on-the column" classic. If only that car could have talked. I know it held secrets of Halloween pranks that were cooked up -- year 'round -- in that car. Halloween was never just an October holiday to Neil. You know how some people keep a cheerful Christmas Spirit in their hearts all year long? Well, Neil held onto that Halloween Feeling through all four seasons!

Of all the thousands of hours we spent together in the great outdoors here on the farm, we probably spent the most down at Morgan Creek. I'll always remember the impressive raft he built on top of a huge tractor tire's inner tube. We dreamed of sailing all the way to New Orleans, but discovered the payload carried the tube too deep in the water to even make it over the rocky rapids just 100 yards from where we set sail. So, we were content to keep it in the old swimmin' hole... spinning and pushing and overturning and screaming and splashing. And making lifelong memories.

Then, there were the firecracker capers. We went to Florida the first time when Neil was 15 and I was 12. Of course, he loved the Atlantic Ocean -- Briney Breezes is where we usually stayed, Amazing how close that spot is to Ellen's home today. As much as he loved Florida, he couldn't wait til we passed through Tennessee on the way home, where he'd stock up on a year's worth of cherry bombs and various other explosive devices. I'm not sure Mother ever figured out why her vacuum sweeper attachments never fit quite right after a new crop of bottle rockets were launched from the great ElectroLux tubes. It's not that she actually SAW what he did with those vacuum parts, some of which never made it back into the closet.

It's dreary today and there's no snow on the frozen ground. Now, most people would just wait out the arrival of Spring in Indiana's frozen tundra. Not Neil! Days like this, he'd grab his clubs and head for Hartley Hills Country Club for a quick 9. One such day, I questioned his sanity as he dashed off in his Chevy. "Naw, it's perfect today. I'll get a great roll!"

I miss you, big brother. But, you're very much with me forever.
Love,
Mary Anne

Birthday

2012-02-07T08:29:00.000-05:00

The second since his passing. Neil's 71st birthday is today.

It's that time of year yet again!

2012-02-02T08:19:00.001-05:00

Happy GroundHog Day!

There was always a plan and sometimes a piece of paper

2012-01-10T01:04:00.001-05:00

Although well known for writing on cocktail napkins, menus, or anything that would accept ink - when there was a plan or idea that was not impromptu Neil would invariably use the Eaton graph paper - paper pad. There was always one at the top of his briefcase ready for him to grab. I rarely saw the other contents of the briefcase, but he was always getting out the pad. As much as he used these at home to express almost any idea- from a baseball play to a fire drill - I would guess everyone at Eaton got at least a memo or two on the graph pad? More than 10 years after his retirement these are still popping up in Neil's stuff.

Another memory though I could not find one: the pocket calculator. Neil always had a small calculator in his shirt pocket, prior to retirement. I don't recall him carrying one after. He was always calculating something.

Dean

A penny for your thoughts - 1909 VDB style.

2011-12-22T07:10:00.005-05:00

One Christmas, all I wanted was a penny - a 1909 VDB (the first wheat penny) I saw at Ben Franklin. (I have no idea why a retail store like that had a coin collection in the rolling glass display case- but it did.) So I showed it to Dad- he didn't buy it, didn't seem interested. A couple days later I see a bulge in Dad's wallet shaped like the coin and coin holder. Well this shape in his wallet became more and more pronounced, of course, as the days passed. Every time he set his wallet down I could see the shape of the coin holder- and I knew what it was. But I couldn't tell him what it was or let on that I knew - it was a surprise right? This went on for, in kid time, about 6 months. It was probably, really, about two to three weeks? Well, anyway, the coin landed under the tree on Christmas day. The indention remained in his wallet for months later. The memory and the coin - the only one in my collection - has stayed with me forever.

Looking back on it now, it seems like his wallet was always set on the table with the coin indention up. Still not sure if he was careless, teaching me about patience, or if he just wanted to see how I would react? Irregardless, the $5 or so coin, in not so great shape, takes me back now 35 years to a five and dime store with my Dad.

I hope that this is and isn't like Danny DeVitto in "Throw Momma from the Train", when he showed off his coin collection? Movie clip link below.
Click here for Clip

Dean

Neil's ashes flow in this creek behind the Gilmer farm, where he played as a kid.

2011-12-22T06:11:00.008-05:00

Gilmer/Butter's Farm House where Neil grew up - on Gilmer Rd, Greens Fork, Indiana. The long, long gravel drive on Gilmer Rd made a sound under the car - - the unforgetable, but familiar prelude to your visit there. (As a kid, to me, it felt like a visit back in time.) The creek is never the same. If you don't know the local weather a trip down the hill to see is always enlightening. Dry? High? Still? Passable? Dangerous?

Dean

Ellen's first visit to her Dad's stone - December 2011

2011-12-22T06:02:00.001-05:00

Graveside - December 2011

2011-12-22T05:56:00.004-05:00

Big Cars

2011-12-17T05:43:00.004-05:00

I bought a 1983 Lincoln the other day. Not sure why except it is in such great shape. Everything about it reminds me of Neil and his 1985 Grand Marquis. I will never forget when he finally got rid of that car and brought home a little "toy" Mercury Sable company car. It was like they took away his 10 gauge and gave him a squirt gun. Not happy with the "mid-grade" car selection now afforded, every bump in the road the Sable couldn't take as the Grand Marquis had was a personal insult to him. I wonder if anyone at Eaton pointed out this obvious slight? He likely would not have missed it had the tables been turned, I am sure.

Dean

One Year

2011-11-19T08:02:00.000-05:00

Neil passed away one year ago today. His year long absence has magnified his daily presence.

Dean

Those faces!

2011-11-01T16:47:00.002-04:00

Neil hated anything gross and would always make the funniest faces when anything gross was near. The grandkids had a great time showing all of Neil's "gross" faces last night when they reached their hands into the pumpkin "guts." The wrinkled nose was a fan favorite from grandson Garrett! Usually the gross face got Neil out of some nasty jobs (as surely he couldn't stand it), but at Halloween we realized (we think) that it wasn't always an act!

Dean

Halloween and Neil Gilmer

2011-11-01T16:44:00.002-04:00

We shouldn't let this Halloween Season pass without recalling it to be one of Neil's favorite times of the year. His inventiveness came out for many to enjoy and to take home memories ! We remember him fondly !!

Steve & Nancy Z

Greens Fork Musuem Brick

2011-08-03T00:14:00.008-04:00

Brick was donated by Mary Anne Butters (Neil's sister) and is located on the West side of the Museum in the Garden area by the gazebo. Beautiful spot. If you get a chance go inside and check out the displays and Greens Fork history!

(Please see the link to the right of this post re: the Greens Fork Museum.)

"Gilmer Sprinkles" M & M's on Neil's Grave - July 2011

2011-08-03T00:11:00.001-04:00

Mimi w/ the grandkids - July 2011

2011-08-03T00:08:00.001-04:00

Kay's first visit to Neil's headstone, Greens Fork, IN July 2011

2011-08-03T00:04:00.002-04:00

Severe Weather Updates

2011-05-28T17:33:00.000-04:00

With all the destructive weather lately, it has reminded me that our own personal meteorologist, always closely monitoring the situation from 1,000 miles away is no longer sending us instant alerts (via email and phone.) These alerts were often delivered before the T.V. and radio even took notice, and always before the sirens went off! The sign-off for our weather man was always - "You may wanna keep a close eye on that. It doesn't look good."

Dean

Neil's Headstone at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Greens Fork, Indiana, May, 19 2011

2011-05-21T13:38:00.005-04:00

April 2011 "Life at Hunter's Creek" Magazine Article

2011-04-22T23:57:00.018-04:00

Credit/Citation: Life at Hunter's Creek Magazine, April 2011 edition, Volume XIV, issue 2, page 41. View online at : www.hunterscreek.net/Life-at-Hunter%27s-Creek-Magazine~141675~14540.htm

Honoring a Neighbor
By John Mongoven
On a beautiful, sunny afternoon
on March 15, more than 40
friends, neighbors and fellow golfers
joined together to honor and
remember Neil Gilmer. Neil was one of the founders of the Hunter’s
Creek Golf League, which tees off every Tuesday afternoon at the
Hunter’s Creek Golf Club.
A memorial bench with a distinguished bronze plaque was unveiled
and dedicated in Neil’s honor. At the dedication ceremony, I stated
that it was most appropriate for the bench to be placed between the
driving range and the putting green, as it would be an idyllic spot to
relax and enjoy the serene and beautiful surroundings
of the golf course. Neil spent quite a bit of
time there. He loved the game and was a very
good player.

After a welcome and thank you to those in attendance,
Kay Gilmer, Neil’s wife of 46 years, stepped
forward to thank everyone for their donations to
the bench fund and for their friendship to Neil.
Neil’s long-time playing partner, Tony Gonzalez,
then stepped forward to say a few heartfelt words
to pay homage to our friend. Tony expressed all of
our feelings of loss for this great man and how fitting
it was that Neil would be remembered every
time someone came to sit and reflect with Neil’s
angel looking on.
Neil passed away at the age of 69 on November
19, 2010 after a long and difficult battle with cancer.
A long-time resident of Orista Bay in Hunter’s
Creek, Neil was an addicted golfer - he was such a
fanatic about the game that he would sometimes
play more than 36 holes in a day! All you had to
do was mention the word “golf” and he was ready
to play.
Neil’s favorite course was Hunter’s Creek and
he often voiced his opinion that
Hunter’s Creek needed a community
golf league. So, along with
John Wiseman and Dan Rapp,
they put their heads together and
started one. I was able to join
their foursome every week, and,
whether you played well or poorly,
Neil made sure everybody had a
great time. His humor and dry wit
were a very important part of his
game.
Thanks to Neil and several others, the Hunter’s Creek Golf League has
become a very successful weekly community event. His beautiful memorial
bench will offer a place to take a moment to reflect and enjoy
the beauty of the day.

________________________________________________________
(Editor's Note: A special thank you to John M not only for this article- which is great. But especially for his, and the whole golf foursome mentioned above: for not only their dedication to golf, which Neil enjoyed, but their dedication to their friends. It was amazing how Neil perked up when they came by so often in his final weeks and how much they did for him both physically and emotionally when golf was the furthest thing from Neil's body (even if not his mind). Thank you John M, John W, and Dan R!)

Mimi and the Grandkids at the "bench" - March 2011

2011-04-07T18:42:00.002-04:00

A Stiver’s Sendoff

2011-03-25T21:55:00.002-04:00

Last night our small group of past and present Eaton associates got together for another “Boys’ Night Out”. Our venue was dinner in Chelsea, MI. On our way to the restaurant, we gathered at Stiver’s Bar and Grill. For those of you familiar with I-94 in SE Michigan, it’s located at exit 162. This was a favorite watering hole from our Eaton Battle Creek days when we made multiple trips each week between our offices in Battle Creek and our customers’ offices in the Detroit area. This old haunt was frequented by many of us, and usually in the company of Neil. It’s a low-brow place with nothing remarkable except their “fishbowl” martinis, which were an obvious favorite of Neil’s. Our group included Tom K., Merv W., Al W., Steve D., Curt S., John C., Simon N., Mike G., John L. and Chuck M. After each ordering a “Boombaton” of choice, we made a toast to Neil and savored the cocktails as well as some memories. The place seems unchanged from when we were last there, several decades ago for most of us, but we’re sure it was just as Neil would remember it. We trust that he was looking down on us with that smile on his face and wishing he could be there in person, but we know he was with us!

Here’s to you, Neil. Cheers!

2011-03-16T12:06:00.003-04:00