District IV - 2006/10
A Model Airplane — an Unfinished Dream
Bill Rourke was a 91-year-old man in Burke Hospice and Palliative Care. Bill was a retired New York State accountant whose hobbies included woodcarving and creating detailed statuettes of animal and human figures, which he painted and decorated.
In the last few years, Bill began building remote-controlled model airplanes. He started a sophisticated 6-foot-wingspan Piper Cub, but it remained unfinished. The J-3 model was a small replica of the bright yellow, tail-dragger J-3s that are often flown even today.
Bill became seriously ill and was admitted to the Burke Hospice at Valdese, North Carolina. One day he told his hospice chaplain, Ted Swann, about the unfinished project—a model airplane that he had painstakingly started and thought he would never finish. When the chaplain learned of Bill's love for building model airplanes, he brought his personal model of a J-3 Piper Cub for Bill to see. He sensed Bill's deep disappointment at not being able to complete his project.
The chaplain knew that unfinished business often causes grief for those facing end-of-life issues. He inquired about the unfinished J-3 Piper Cub kit and was invited to view it. Bill had almost finished building the fuselage and the wing. His family permitted the chaplain to take the kit, and he sought someone with expertise in building model airplanes. He turned to Leland's Toy Plane and Train Hobby Shop in Hildebran, North Carolina. Leland's referred him to Mark McClellan, president of the Catawba Valley Remote Control Flyers club located near Hickory, North Carolina. Upon hearing about the need for someone to finish the airplane for a hospice patient, Mark volunteered to take on the project.
Mark had approximately a week or two to finish the project so Mr. Rourke could see it. He immediately began sanding, installing sensitive electronic control devices and the engine, and ironing on the covering for the airplane. In the meantime, the chaplain told Bill that a professional was finishing his airplane for him. Bill was happy; he had talked about his unfinished work and how his hands had failed him when he tried to work on his model. Patient Rourke's illness became more serious. Some days he responded only with one-word answers and slept most of the time.
On Good Friday, the chaplain received the stunningly beautiful, bright yellow model from Mark and brought it to the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center. Mr. Rourke had slept most of the day and had been only slightly responsive. The chaplain told him he wanted him to see what he had started to build and how beautiful it was.
Bill was amazed. He cried and said, "Oh my God, oh my God. I never thought it would be finished. How can I ever thank you?" The chaplain held the tip of the long wing so Bill could stroke it with his hand. He stroked it softly, gently, and cried. He was so very, very happy. Bill said, "You almost gave me a heart attack."
Bill's work was finished. Earlier he had affirmed his religious faith; the chaplain prayed with him and he went to sleep. He was calm and peaceful. He died two weeks later.
Bill wanted his airplane to be given to South Mountain Children's Home, and at his request the chaplain delivered it to Chris Jernigan, the director of the home, the day before Bill died.
Quite often, unfinished projects require and involve other caring people. Mark McClellan sensed a pressing need and responded with willingness and personal dedication. Mark, the Catawba Valley Remote Control Flyers, Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, and the family and friends of Mr. Bill Rourke deeply appreciate everyone who helped. Thank you.
In the last two weeks, Chaplain Ted Swann has met many members of the Catawba Valley Remote Control Flyers and has been profoundly impressed with their community spirit. When Mark heard that the airplane had been taken to South Mountain Children's Home, he suggested that his club would provide hot dogs and the opportunity for some of the children to fly remote-controlled planes at Allen's Field. The members practice flying their models almost every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Visit the club web site at www.cvrcflyers.charter.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
