The first part of the day is a bit fuzzy right now. I apologize as I have not had sleep for a while. But dad had a lot of visitors as usual. Sorry, but I am too tired to name them right now, but of course Klein and Zabner were involved, which we are thankful for.
During dads final moments, we were all surrounding his bed. Even declan woke up to say goodbye. We played one of his favorate songs and told him how much we loved him and we said grandmas prayer for him.
He went peacefully and a few seconds after his passing all of us (not sure about declan) felt a rush of happiness. So we know that he is happy. Happy to be free of the pain and the suffering he has been going through, and happy to be free of the constraints put on his usually over-active life.
Up until the end, and forever more, he is a great man. The world is a better place for having him in it. We are better people for having him in our lives. In fact he shaped so many peoples lives, and I can honestly say he and mum were the biggest influences in shaping my life.
Mum has done such an incredible job looking after dad. Not just in the last few weeks, but the last few years. And people, our jobs are not over yet, we are now here to help mum through this and our jobs are to look after mum. I know you all have real jobs and other lives, but I am allowed to be a little dramatic a 3.48am on a day like this!
Please keep the comments coming on the blog. we will continue to check it and it makes us so proud of dad to read all the things people say. He was so amazing. In fact, just today, a nurse (sorry, I didn't actually meet her to don't know her name) who was coming off of her shift came up to us and thanked us for having such am amazing father. We are very fortunate.
Well said Becster, he was a truly great man in every sense of the word, and so humble in his greatness - i think its awesome that in the last few weeks particularly that he got to hear what so many people thought about him and i hope he understood how much people truly appreciated him and valued the time he had spent with everyone over the years. I cant honestly remember a time i spent with your dad when i wasn't laughing or smiling at something he said or did. Your mum is truly a great woman also, her strength is astounding and her courage amazing i cannot even fathom the enormity of what she has dealt with over the past few years but she has done it with grace. She has an angel now as do you all and she will be watched over and cared for. Sleep now McLennans, you all deserve some rest and peace and when the tears come in the days ahead know that you have all of our love and support xxx Susan
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for keeping us up to date Bec. We all realize how difficult a time it is to lose such a wonderful man in your lives, but also know that he is now at peace (and his last picture showed that very clearly!).
ReplyDeleteI think it incredible that you have all been able to sustain each other during this difficult time. Friends are here to stay, but the family is the foundation of it all.
Will call on Chris next time in Coralville, as I promised your Dad during my last visit.
God bless and give you all strength in the coming time to come to terms with Geoff's passing. I am sure he will be pleased to have been able to connect so well with all of you and leaving the house in good order.
Edwin
Rebecca, thank you for being so strong and writing this blog. Not only is Geoff such an amazing spirit, but your entire family - in particular your selfless and dedicated mum whom we are all grateful for. Our love for Geoff will never diminish and his influence, I'm sure, will be sustained through each and every one of us that he affected so dearly. A big hug to each of you.
ReplyDeletelove
eman
Dear Bec, chris and the rest of the Mclennan family. We're really sorry for your loss and please know that we will be here for you. Looking back at Geoff's life, we wonder how it was possible for a person to accomplish so much in their lifetime but that's one of the many wonders of Geoff McLennan. We will dearly miss his sense of humor and how he inspired us all to discover the unknown.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace my friend.
Farshid, Reza and Fereshteh.
Dear Chris, Bec, Cam, Declan, Ben, and Sam, may God cradle you each in his arms as you work through the loss of Geoff. You know how he talked about the light surrounding people who were special to him? Well he had that light surrounding him, which is why he was surrounded by so many wonderful people. Each of you also carry that light and we will all be here for you no matter what. The road we walk is never free of peaks and valleys, it is how we learn to manuever each and every one of those peaks and valleys that shows what we are made of. Geoff met life head on, and he met the end of life with grace and dignity, by simply continuing to get the most out of every minute of every day. I am so proud to have known Geoff and Chris for this time! You have taught me a great deal about life, love and friendship! Peace and blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janet
Dear Bec, Thanks so much for keeping us all up to date. My heart goes out to you, your mum, Sam, Ben, Cam, Declan and the rest of the family. Your dad was truly a great man. I love him and already miss him dearly.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mel
I sense that the Universe has expanded just a bit now that the concentrated energy that was Geoff has been released. Geoff was a very rare individual whose life served to teach the rest of us how to live, and his legend will remain in the lessons he has left which will be passed forward. What an honor to have known him. There are certain individuals who touch our lives in a way that we remember them every day and will do so for the remainder of our lives. Geoff is one of those who will not be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky Geoff was to have Chris by his side. He loved all of his children emensley and was proud beyond words. And indeed he deserved to be proud.
I will be here as a friend always.
My very best to you all and thankyou.
Eric together with Kay and Elie
Thank you to his family for keeping us all posted. He was tremendously lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful, courageous people. My heart goes out to you all.
ReplyDeleteGeoff was a tenacious fighter for advancement in both science and medicine. He is survived by his ideas which have served to inspire others and will continue to leave their mark on the world. I feel very fortunate to have known him and will miss him greatly. Thanks for everything, Geoff.
-Amanda
Rebecca, I didn't know your father very well, just to say hello in the halls -- but even at that I enjoyed his ready wit and of course was familiar with his incredible accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteYour mum, though, I am well-acquainted with and continuously awed by...more so now than ever. Chris, lots of love to you, and all my sympathies. You and Geoff built an amazing family, and you all made beautiful things out of an impossible situation.
Amy Newton
Dear Chris, Bec, Cam, Declan, Ben, and Sam, My heart goes out to you in this most difficult time. For Geoff being such a great man and such a dearest friend, I am deeply saddened with tears full in my eyes. On my desktop, I have the book entitled "Why We Age - What Science Is Discovering about the Body's Journey through Life" by Steven N. Austad, which is a gift from him when he, Eric and I had a business trip in CA. The happy old days are just like yesterday. He played an instrumental role in success of our major grant proposals. I learned so much from him both intellectually and spiritually. In particular, I remember vividly the coffer break he and I had, talking about life and tragedies, both mine and some in his family history. Friendship is sharing, and friendship is inspiring. Geoff will be missed dearly by all his friends, in whose memories he will live forever. Most importantly, according to the Bible, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Let us celebrate Geoff's life. Now, in retrospective, he is really a most lucky man with a joyful life, a successful career, a happy family, and numerous friends, and he is now free in the Heavens with the Mighty God. After all, the world is temporary but the Heavens is forever. Geoff and all your family members are in our prayers. Love in Christ, Ge
ReplyDeleteChris and family
ReplyDeleteSad news but he is no longer in pain. I have been reading the entries each day and I am amazed to see how mentally sharp Geoff appeared until such a short time before his last breath. It was a privilege to have known him. He was such a wonderful person and a great inspiration to so many of us in respiratory medicine.
Regards. Jim Markos. Tasmania. Australia.
Someone like Geoff, with such a brilliant spirit will never be gone--- just sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts, thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Chris, I hope you know that I am always here for you.
With much love,
Jennifer (and Joe and the kids)
Dear Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry for your loss, Geoffrey had a vast influence on my life, the way I think and work; I will always be in great dept to him and Chris. I will truly miss his great advice and his lovely sense of humor. My heart goes out to you, Chris and all the McLennan family. If you need any thing at all, let me know. I will remember... I will not forget.
Love,
Maged
My deepest condolences to Geoff's family. This is a difficult time for all of us who knew him. Though I am sad to see him go, I am thankful to have known him and his wonderful family.
ReplyDeleteI only knew Geoff for a couple of years, but in that time I came to know him to be an intelligent, kind, and compassionate man. He was always friendly, always funny, and always supportive. He treated those who worked with him, not as coworkers or employees, but as friends. His presence will be sorely missed, but he won't be forgotten.
Best wishes,
Tony
Geoff: As you know, there's lots of love, affection, respect, and sadness here with your death. There's much to miss. We'll miss your humor, your wisdom, your vision, and your good cheer. We'll miss your love for your family, your friends, Iowa, and Australia. We'll miss your going for coffee, but miraculously having no money in your pocket. We will miss your mentoring, your encouragment, your collaboration, your badgering. We will miss the master clinician, the physician-scientist, the father, the world-traveller, the bon-vivant. As long as we are thinking about you, honoring your values, continuing your work, you are not gone. We will miss you, but we are happy about what you leave behind, and (as we discussed) that part of you is still here. Lots of love, Joel Kline and Cathy Woodman.
ReplyDeleteChris and family,
ReplyDeleteMy most heartfelt condolences. I will always miss our long conversations with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in our hands. Geoff’s wit and curiosity has consistently impressed me. We all lost a great friend.
Jose Assouline
Dear Chris, Rebecca and the rest of the McLennan Family,
ReplyDeleteOur deepest sympathy with your family. Geoff is one of the smartest and most caring people I have ever met in my life. He and chris provided me great support during my entire twelve years in Iowa City and I am forever grateful for that. We will all miss him a lot. He always provided all of us with great advice and challenged us to think outside the box. His favorite story was to tell everyone that we went to the same high school in Adelaide whenever he introduced me to someone. It was always a joy to run into him in the hallways at UIHC. He had a passion for life and science and will be missed greatly.
Farid, Parisa and Arman
Dear Chris, Ben, Bec, Sam and McLennan Family,
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers go out to you. Thank you for being so generous in sharing your time with Geoff with all of us who were able to visit and for allowing us to share these moments with your family through this blog.
Geoff was a force of nature who changed everyone he met. He entertained, stimulated, humored, enlightened, bemused, taught, shared, questioned and inspired. He lived with such fire and commitment. I will forever strive to make him proud and to honor his memory by sharing with others the parts of me he shaped.
Chris, you are one of the strongest people I know, supporting Geoff throughout his incredible career and being everything and anything he needed during this difficult time. Please know we are here for you and your family.
With love,
Jess, Jered and Ava
To all of the McLennan Family,
ReplyDeleteWe were all so sorry to hear of the passing of Geoff today. He will be sorely missed (but never forgotten) at all our 'Aussie' gatherings.
Please know that we are thinking of you all.
Belinda, Chiedozie, Chimaobi and Amarachi Udeh
To Chris and the entire Mclennan family. Our hearts go out to all of you. Reading this blog has been very moving. Geoff was a true gem as is his family. Lots of love. Kelly, Eliot and Eva.
ReplyDeleteGeoff, You are a shining light. We miss you. I learned a lot from you on many things in pulmonary medicine from you. Christine and family, our deepest condolences.
ReplyDeleteMurali, Cristina, Little Nina, my dad Rama, and mom Meena.
Dear Chris, Bec, Sam, Ben and McLennan family,
ReplyDeleteYou continue to be in our thoughts and prayers and all of our love goes out to you.
Geoff has been an amazing teacher, mentor, and friend to all of us. We are so fortunate to be challenged and inspired by his love for science and medicine as well as by his quest for understanding the nature of the world around us. This imprint he has left will never be forgotten and will continue on through all the lives he has touched.
Chris you radiate strength, kindness, and beauty. Eman and I are so fortunate to have you in our lives. We love you dearly and are always here for you and the rest of the family.
Lots of love,
Jacque
Our sympathies go out to the Ben, Chris, Bec, Sam and the extended McLennan family. A very sad day.
ReplyDeleteMackay Treloars.
To the McLennan Family,
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of the Past Players of the Port Adelaide Presbyterian Football Club (Port Pres)/ North Haven Football Club, we are very saddened by the news of Geoff's passing. We are holding a Past Players Day this Saturday and we will take a moment to remember Geoff, Peter and Alf, and have all senior team Players wear the Black arm bands in memory of Geoff.
Best Wishes
Mark Hales
Dear Chris and family
ReplyDeleteI smile when I remember Geoff's quirky sense of humour. I am so grateful for his role as mentor to our daughter. His guidance to set her on her path to fulfill her potential as his did for so many other young people. His and Chris's hospitality whenever we are visiting Coralville.
Sadness that this time we won't see him.
My heart goes out to Chris and family.
love lya
Dear Chris, Bec and Family
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt condolences go out to you for your loss. I only met Geoff and Chris 6 years ago and then only on occasions including for some "work" meetings for his Alliance in Adelaide. Yet he has made a long lasting impression on me as he seems to have had on anyone he met. A great, generous man on a mission also with a wicked sense of humour and unbelievable courage. An inpiration to all! To have enjoyed your loving support Chris' and of your family in good times and bad must have been a great comfort to him. love Frans de Ryk
To the McLennan Family,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss today. I met him for the first time on Saturday visiting with hospice and that hour moved me more deeply than I can say. He was a man with a kind, warm and generous spirit. I was honored but his willingness to invite me in to such a personal and intimate family moment. My only regret was that I had not met him sooner. You are are in the prayers of my family.
With love and respect, KellyAnn Light-McGroary
Sympathies to Geoff's family. A great man and a great loss - yes, but what a legacy.
ReplyDeleteReflecting on Geoff's impact on myself and others in the church and football 'families' of Port Adelaide I could comment on how highly regarded he is and his many achievements and contributions, however, my most enduring memory is of Geoff's laconic way and dry sense of humour.
Geoff made a difference.
Stephen Inglis
Geoff was one-of-a-kind, an extraordinary guy who achieved so much and influenced a great many people. Although I had not been in touch much in recent times, he is very fondly remembered. He was always a master of the anecdote, conversation with Geoff was always a great pleasure. Condolences to Chris and family.
ReplyDeletePaul Reynolds
No words can describe how big of a loss this was. High respect to a man who gave without asking in return, who was full of life and energy. Geoff, you will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteTo the McLennans, sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences. Our prayers are with you. Love, Kim and Rami
To the McLennan family:
ReplyDeleteI traveled with your father monthly to do an outreach clinic in Vinton. We had some great conversations during this monthly car ride. He taught me so much. I also loved hearing about all of you and your endeavors. He was so proud of all of you!
Watching him work with the patients in Vinton was very special. He taught me that, patients are so much more than their disease.
He will be missed!
Becky Krob
Goodbye our dearest old friend. We have known you for 45 years and although you are no longer with us physically you will always be with us in our thoughts and hearts.Chris, you kow much you all mean to us.Thanks Bec for keeping us up to date.He was truly a great man.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs to all
John and Jill
To the McLennan family,
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad news to hear the passing of a great man in the world. Geoff had a brilliant mind that always questioned the world and while he strove to achieve more he inspired others to do the same. His generosity helped many including myself experience another side of the globe which helped me grow as a person, I am indebted to Geoff and Chris for this. I am reminiscing on how Geoff influenced me in such a positive way and I am thinking of your family in this time of sorrow.
With admiration, Tyson Grubb.
Dear Chris, Bec, Ben, Sam and your families,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know how saddened I am to hear about the passing of your dad and to let you know we are thinking of you all. I wish I was more articulate to convey my thoughts and emotions at this time but I’m at a loss for words. I'm glad so many visitors to the blog have shared their stories and memories. All I can say is the world was a much better place with Geoff McLennan in it. I have so many fond memories of him always making us laugh with his clever comments and entertaining stories. He helped us all to see the fun and enjoyment in life and inspired us to appreciate even the simple things like a game of lawn tennis and a good old fashioned barbie! (And the net fishing adventure that my dad loves to tell!) Our memories with your family in Adelaide are some of our most cherished and we will be forever thankful for those times we shared with you. Thanks Geoff, for touching our lives in such a meaningful way and thanks Chris, Bec, Ben and Sam for sharing your dad with us. He will be greatly, greatly missed.
xo, Anne
Dear Chris, Bec and Family,
ReplyDeleteI have just learned of Dr. McLennan's passing.
Please accept my deepest condolences.
The world has lost a great man. He will be missed immensely...
Most Truly,
Gosia