This was the opening Commemorative Speech by Huey’s father that was read the celebration on Huey’s life. Unfortunately, the father faced a massive dilemma and in wanting to articulate the speech clearly, to honor and share what a remarkable fellow he was. The father was grief-stricken and any speech given would have been incomprehensible. Fortunately the celebrant Carolyn Atkinson came to the rescue.
Commemorative Speech – Hueyuan Kenneth Springer
The father’s speech for Huey:
Today we are here to celebrate Hueyuan Kenneth Springer’s life. Or Huey’s life as many of you know him by.
I remember when Huey first came to us. The joy he brought and the excitement being the first boy. From the start, Huey had a beautiful smile, and this continued to show throughout Huey’s life. Later his cheeky and happy-go-lucky character formed and that was what made Huey be Huey. He was not one to complain about anything or have any bad words to say about anyone. This was how Huey lived his life.
From an early age Huey was curious about everything. Before he lost his eyesight, he would be intensely interested about everything and fascinated with colours. Then the dark days came, and he lost his eyesight, it was devastating for us all. Especially to myself knowing how living a life being different can be challenging. However, with Huey’s character, always cheerful and showing signs of enjoying challenges, I had no doubt that Huey will find his own way.
As time progressed, I could spot the signs that he had the traits of an Engineer. You either have it or you don’t. It’s not something that can be taught or learned but rather, it is gifted. At times I saw myself in him, and at other times I saw something else that had me wondering: This boy is going to be full of surprises.
Some surprises were good surprises. And I’m sorry to say this Huey – but some surprises were terrible surprises.
Like the time when you were interested with power and power-points. Somehow you thought it was a good idea to poke things into power points. How many times I caught you doing this? I’m so surprised Huey that you didn’t electrocute yourself in the process of your learning.
Or the times when the house was suddenly quiet, and Huey was hidden away somewhere with the tap open and fascinated with the water. I’m sure I’ll be surprised when the water bill comes Huey.
But as Huey grew older the surprises changed.
Like when Huey was absorbed with his iPAD, holding it close to his eye for hours at an end. Surely, that’s not healthy? And Huey and what are you doing anyway? Huey showed me that he was playing MineCraft, building things that required some in-depth thought and creativeness. He surprised me and I surprised myself by encouraging Huey to keep going. This is way better than Leggos!
Or my surprise when talking with Huey about software development and the problems in the world, and hearing his feedback. Based upon Huey’s comments resulted in new projects being formed, requiring investments, time and effort and many projects are still ongoing today.
However, some surprises were cheeky. Like Huey showing me the Rubix cube puzzle that was scrambled and wanting me to solve it. I told Huey, I had one of those at his age too, but I never mastered the skill. In fact, my Engineering approach was to pull it apart and put it back together again without anyone knowing. I did do this, and the cube never functioned properly after that attempt. Huey thought that was so funny. While talking to his sister, Huey quickly solved the cube. Oh boy I was surprised! So I scrambled up the cube again and watched Huey carefully. No cheating Huey! But he solved the cube over and over, holding the cube close to his eye. I was further surprised when Huey said he found the solutions by himself on youtube. Of course, Huey!
And to my horror and knowing Huey, I concluded that he must have be going around making bets with others whether he could solve the cube or not. How many others did he surprised? How many others lost their bets?
Lastly, in recent times, Huey and I talked and had email correspondences about astronomy. And why not, as I was a great fan of Stephen Hawking and Einstein’s theory of relativity? We started talking about black holes and digging deeper into the topic, there came to the point where Huey had far surpassed my knowledge. He was stating the known theoretical ideas and expressing his own theories. Upon doing my own research, I must say I was beyond being surprised, was excited and in awe and respect of a young man showing signs of a great thinker.
It dawned upon me that if Huey followed his dreams to become a programmer or astronomer or whatever path he chose. Huey would be a force that cannot be reckoned with. He would not be limited by his own circumstances. Huey would leave his mark on Earth and I have no doubt that his surprises would be far reaching. Of this I am certain.
As a proud father Huey, this is how I will always remember you. I am going to miss your gentle ways, your good heart, your cheeky character and of course your surprises.
I love you Huey and miss you with all my heart.
—–
Speech by the father, Kenneth Bernard Springer