Theodore Scott Westhusing

West Point, 1983

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Pete Scheffer on June 14, 2005:

It hit me "right in the heart" when I first heard about Teddy last week. Almost like losing a brother. I knew Teddy incredibly well. We served in the same Regiment at West Point, I was a member of HIS Honor Committee for a year (and Teddy was the genuine example of a man of "true" character). He was the "ideal" Cadet-the role model for ALL of us--# 2 (I believe) in our West Point Class (NOTE: I'm sure due to his modesty he probably allowed Mark Martins to be our valedictorian)-a genuine friend, a fellow paratrooper, and a devout man of God who loved his Lord and his family in mind, in body, and in spirit... Teddy taught ALL of us who knew him what it took to be a "man"-and he did it NOT by trying to be "macho"; rather, just the opposite-by humility, kindness, compassion for his fellow man, and by endless acts of charity (acts that seemed little to him-they were huge by our standards)... If one would write a book about leadership-it would contain a chapter on the life of Teddy Westhusing-an example for ALL of us in life, and sadly now, in death of how we should live (or should have lived) our own lives. He is, was, and will ALWAYS be the example of "John 15:13"...("Greater love hath no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends...") If/when you happen to speak with either of his parents, please tell them, in words from the Book of Proverbs 23:24-25: "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice..." We ALL delighted in Teddy, and no doubt his loss leaves a void in ALL of our lives-an empty space, a lonesome feeling-much like that of a space left behind when a tree is cut down in the forest-it's just a lonesome space against the sky-one that was once full and strong. Yet, our challenge (for those of us who knew him and who loved him very much) will be to help that tree grow back again-by living out the examples that Teddy taught us and by passing on to others the lessons of his life-his legacy. From our West Point Alma Mater: "And when our work is done, our course on earth is run, may it be said: WELL DONE! Be thou at peace..." Be at peace Teddy-and thank-you for a job WELL DONE-we will miss you!!!

admin