Ron and Fred

When I think about the authors who most shaped my imagination and my conscience during my early to mid-twenties, the names Frederick Buechner and Ron Sider come to mind. That period of life was a consequential one—finishing college, seeing the world, starting a career—and the work of these two men informed so much of what I was up to at the time.

Both of these heroes just died within three weeks of each other: Ron Sider, 82, on July 27, and Frederick Buechner, 96, on August 15.

I never met Buechner, sadly, but I did have one brief conversation with Ron Sider. It was at chapel at Eastern University, circa 2008, and I was a grad student. Kristyn, a mutual friend at the organization Ron founded, introduced us. I don’t remember much of the conversation itself, though I’m sure I said thank you, for everything. Here’s what else I can tell you: Ron was soft-spoken and unassuming, despite his reputation for penning jeremiads. He had thick glasses and an even thicker mustache, just like he does in every photo of him. His clothing was blessedly forgettable; the color beige comes to mind. When I think of him, he will always be smiling.

Even when we don’t know authors at any level of personal depth, it’s sad to think of a world in which they’re not out there, somewhere, writing books we’ll eventually hold in our hands and read. It’s in precisely that sense that I’m going to miss Fred and Ron.

Give rest, O Christ, to these servants with your saints.