Jacob Klassen,
Nov 14, 1918 – Jul 4, 2008

We were looking through some old stuff and came across this little gem. It was a note in a small envelope, written on a little yellowed piece of paper in Dad's (Jake's) handwriting and it again showed us who Dad aspired to be. His words are probably better than anything else to explain what he was like:

"THE KIND OF LISTENER I WANT TO BE

I want to be the kind of listener that is genuinely interested in the person. I want to show the unselfish, caring kind of interest that Jesus Christ showed when he walked with man. I want to listen not only to what the patient verbalizes, but also and specifically listen to the pressing need which he finds hard to express, that which is crying from the innermost parts of his being. I want to listen in such a way that he might feel confident that his trust will not be betrayed, assured that even though I haven't got the answers pat, I will stand by him, supporting him all the way, come what may.

— J.A. Klassen"