Syl Beyer is my Uncle. He is the older brother of my mother, Catherine Beyer.

I asked to have a couple of minutes here this morning to provide some continuity from the Beyer clan in Milwaukee.

Both Tom and Beth have already referred to my 'special relationship' with Syl Beyer this weekend.

I wanted the opportunity to be able to provide some background on that relationship.

When I was in high school, Syl & Dorothy moved back to Milwaukee from Indiana.

(Tom & Beth had already moved out of the house.)

At that time, my parents began to visit them more frequently, for example, by attending picnics in their backyard. For the most part, I would blend in with Syl & Dorothy's other nieces and nephews.

But there was one event that changed that relationship.

In brief, my father was not a handyman.

When my mother & father had our house painted while I was in high school, we still had sets of screens and storm windows in the basement that needed painting.

My mother knew that Syl was a can-do person, so she asked him to come down one weekend.

As a result, Uncle Syl and I spent one entire day working on those windows, from morning until evening. And he taught me what needed to be done. He also spoke a language that I understood.

Mind you, I couldn't say that about all of my Beyer aunts and uncles.

He took care and concern in me.

Now that Bobbi & I have our own house, I'm putting those skills to use there.

On that one Saturday morning, Uncle Syl came willingly, joyfully, and because he had useful skills he could share with others.

This is but one of several similar examples.

Ten years ago when my mother died, Syl had just returned from visiting the Cape's in Iowa. He just arrived in Eagle River when he heard of his sister's death. With practically no sleep, he got back in the car and drove all the way down to Kenosha. When asked about it, he replied: "Why, I had to---she's my sister."

And then two years ago, when Bobbi & I got married, Uncle Syl no longer had the full faculties of his legs, because his neuropathy was getting worse. That didn't stop him. He drove to our wedding, by himself, using hand controls at the wheels!

I'm proud to have Syl Beyer as my uncle.

In an era when so many people will tell us why they can't do something, Syl Beyer was a refreshing contrast.

He had a can-do attitude.

When he made up his mind to do something, he did it,

Often without hesitation.

He was an exceptional individual.

The man downhill skied after age 80. I tell my nephews and nieces who may be vascillating atop their own 'hill,' that they have an 80 year old uncle who downhill skis!

One of his conditions for moving into the Eagle River Care Home was being able to bring his in computer. They said they never got a request like that before.

When Syl Beyer arrives in heaven, the Angels may learn something from him about computers and the Internet--in a language they will understand.

Son Syl, Brother Syl, Husband Syl, Father Syl, Uncle Syl, Grandfather Syl, Veteran Syl, Educator Syl, Friend Syl.

We love you very much,

We will miss you,

May you & Dorothy rest in eternal peace.