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Today is set apart in the United States to give thanks for our blessings. It’s an ideal week for reflection.
Earlier this week, as I listened to Shepherd’s Gate CEO Carol Patterson share about the Christ-centered program for women and their children striving to get their lives back on track, I glanced around the room. One of our long-time stalwarts lost this wife of many years earlier this year.
We will celebrate the life of another long-time member, Howard Mendenhall, next month as well as the life of Larry Wiens. As I reflected during this week, I realize how significant some were to my life and the many contributions they made to others through their acts of service. Last month, Livermore said good by to its native son, Judge Hugh Walker, who died in Palm Springs after battling a nasty disease.
When we gather around the table at my sister’s this afternoon, one smiling face will be missing—her husband Don who died suddenly Dec. 26 last year. He’s the first of our generation to pass.
I had the privilege of helping write the obituary for Mendenhall and, as often is the case, I learned many additional facts about his long life. As its core was serving others, whether in the United States Armed Services, at United Airlines starting as a mechanic and working his way into management and through innumerable days spent at Habitat for Humanity projects or building children’s homes in other countries or serving in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (five times). His wife Diana served side-by-side.
One of his long-time building partners, Bob Sanchez (who lost his bride earlier this year), told Carol about the GraceWay team with Howard, himself and others that laid the bricks in the honor garden as well as hung drywall in the basement.
I’d largely lost touch with Hugh after he moved to Palm Springs, but the long-time rancher and judge served our community well. He and other ranchers had struggled with the East Bay Regional Park District over some of its policies, but he managed to work it out with them and ended up selling scenic Brushy Peak to the district. He also served as a director of the Zone 7 water agency.
I knew Larry Wiens the best out of this group. He led the Barnabas Group, like-minded Christian business leaders who served ministries and helped them go to the next level. Larry selected me as the spiritual reporter for the group in 2012 and I truly enjoyed that role that provided me with insights on what God is doing both in our backyard and around the world.
God gifted Larry with the ability to identify the unique strengths in individuals and then encourage them into roles where they would flourish and help move the organization forward. Before founding the Barnabas Group in the East Bay, he played a key role in helping the Community Presbyterian Church in Danville leave its former denominational home and in directly serving other ministries.
I relied on him for wise counsel on several occasions and was blessed when we could collaborate on God-centered projects. I look forward to celebrating his life with family and friends on Dec. 10.
Thanks for reading my reflections and Happy Thanksgiving.
Incidentally, we enjoyed the new movie, “Journey to Bethlehem” that tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The producers brought musical elements to the story plus humorous moments and a bit of suspense although Bible readers know how the story ends. Worth your time and a bit of treasure.
Pleasanton police vehicle, other car involved in injury collision at intersection near downtownJanuary 17, 2026 8:21 pm