Heinz Plato's Reflections About Alan
When Alan first came to Williamsburg, he started helping me on my construction sites. He could do anything, as far as construction was concerned, but cleaning-up was his strength. The jobsites were cleaner than ever. He did not want to be paid; he’d prefer that the money was used for Lee’s work with Wycliff in Mali.
His specialty was cleaning up. No jobsite was as clean as mine. When he fell, he always refused help in getting up; he’d do it himself. He knew how to fall, he always rolled away.
What impressed me about him was:
His faith - it shone through him
His Christ-likeness – I never heard him say a bad word about anyone
His humility – he never boasted about his many abilities. I don’t know how long it took before I knew he had a PhD in chemistry. He was a true servant.
His patience – he insisted on doing things for himself, even as his Parkinsons limited him more and more. He never complained, even though he had reason to complain as he became more dependent on others and moving around became difficult.
His compassion – on his trips to Charlottesville he stopped in Richmond and visited our niece who was dealing with cancer. He always had an encouraging word, a card, or flowers.
His helpfulness – he mowed grass at the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center for hours on end
His friendship – He could be counted on anytime anywhere
His humor – he liked a good joke, and was good at telling them, unless he had to laugh too hard himself
His persistence – he never gave up
His wisdom – was the result of his strong faith.
I am blessed and privileged to have known him and counted him my friend.
If I could be half the man he was, I’d be a good man
He has gone to his reward; I’m sure he heard these words:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant."
May you rest in peace
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My Memories of Alan - Melanie Plato
We got to know Alan when he first moved to Williamsburg and started coming to our church, and, on one occasion, he lived with us for a short period of time.
He disliked coffee, but, when we had it I always offered him some. Once a year he would drink a cup – to keep up his dislike of it, and, in return, Heinz had to do something he disliked: he had to wear a tie, then they were even.
He did like egg salad sandwiches, and he could eat mayonnaise by the spoonful, which makes me shudder.
And did he ever love chocolate! When he was at Morningside, and was not supposed to have chocolate, we always brought him some, but he had to hide it. One day, when he was not doing well and had to stay in bed, I brought him some in a little plastic bag, because it was easier to hide without the package. He started eating it right away, but, because he was holding the bag in his hand, the chocolate started to melt, and he got it all over his face, on his shirt and on the sheet. That day, it wasn’t hidden very well.
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