Nothing was more impressive than watching the village Herbert Bauer loved so much love him right back.

The Davis Police Department called him every morning to make sure he hadn’t fallen in the night. The Davis Enterprise and The Sacramento Bee carriers carefully placed his newspapers on the very top of his mailbox where he could reach them, and the Davis Waste Removal arranged for his trash to be picked up without his needing to take the cans to the street.

Meals on Wheels lovingly delivered hot meals and friendship. The Davis Fire Department came to lift his body when he fell and his spirits when they left, assuring him they were ready day or night to come to his assistance.

Thanks to many years of devotion, Anna-Marie Tucker-Schwab made it possible for Herbert to achieve his dream of living in his home until the end.

When the time was right, the wonderful services of both the Fijian Home Health Care and Yolo Hospice entered the picture.

We doubt that our city has ever seen a more beautiful outpouring of love than over Herbert’s last two weeks. His front door stood open by day and evening. Had it been a swinging door, it would not have stopped swinging.

People came to talk with him, sing to him, read to him, to softly play instruments and beloved opera tapes and to simply sit and hold his hand. His home had become a gathering place.

Herbert was our teacher in the art of loving. We know if he could write a final letter to the editor it would read, “Well done, Davis. I love and thank you.”

Nancy Keltner and Helen Thomson
Davis

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