My Experience in High Places

The Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado

Soon after I began my walk in the Torah I started a new job in Boulder at an up and coming graphic design firm. Working in Boulder was exciting for me because when we first moved to Colorado from Texas, Boulder was our original destination; but once we arrived, we found out how expensive it was to live there so we ended up in Westminster.

Driving to Boulder every morning was breathtaking. When I didn't take the bus I would drive through the backroads so I could see the morning sun shining on the Flatirons. I'd often pull over just to gaze at the mountains. During my lunch break I would walk up and down the Pearl Street mall and visit the eclectic shops or I'd stroll through the nearby neighborhoods and enjoy the scenery.

I found out that a Messianic Judaica shop, called High Places, had relocated from Estes Park to Boulder. When I found out where it was located, I would sometimes walk to it on my lunch break and eat my lunch as I browsed. One of the store owners, Elizabeth, would point me to books and music that she thought I would like. She was a kind lady. I would talk to her about the Messianic Movement and the Torah. I often encouraged her to consider making a website for their store; at the time there were very little Judaica shops online, not to mention Messianic ones. Unfortunately, the store didn't stay open very long. I remember driving up one day to find the store closed down. I would later run into Elizabeth at various Messianic events in the area. At one event I found out that her son, Toby, had recently joined FFOZ. I didn't have any interaction with Elizabeth after that, but when I think about my Boulder experience, she is part of it.

Elizabeth passed away last Wednesday. Yesterday I took a half-day off to attended her memorial service in Loveland. It was interesting to see the variety of folks there, Messianic and Christian believers, paying their respects to this godly woman who touched their lives. I was encouraged and moved by Toby's beautiful tribute to his mother. I was also encouraged to see the ways of God passed on from one generation to the next. Elizabeth's legacy will live on in her son's life and the lives of her grandchildren.



~

Richard Merrill Westfall Levi, 1956-2011

I received an email the week before last; someone had just lost a dear friend and they were hoping to honor him with a proper burial. He didn't have any money. He didn't have any immediate family. His extended family was probably not going to show up. All he had were his three cats - ‘King’ Kirk, Tasha, and Trina. He claimed to be a Messianic Jew, descending from the tribe of Levi; so, in keeping with his wishes, I was contacted in hopes that a Messianic Rabbi/Leader would assist in his celebration of life ceremony. How could I say no?

I had no idea who Richard Westfall was; I had never met him. In order to give him a proper eulogy, I invited his friends to come up and share their experiences and memories of Richard. As they spoke, I found out that he was quite an extraordinary person.

Richard was a Colorado native. He graduated from North High School in 1975. He attended and worked at the University of Colorado in Boulder in the Math, Chemistry and Physics departments. Although he went on to be a Nuclear Physicist, Richard never received a degree. He felt that the required Gen. Ed. courses that were necessary to secure a degree were a waste of his time. Richard had a brilliant mind; he was a genius with an IQ of 192. He was the recipient of three US Patents in the field of electrolytic crystal production for use in semiconductor device manufacture and other technologies. He presented many papers at various conferences and conventions in his field. He also co-authored various technical publications. Just prior to his death, his lastest projects were in the area of space mining and colonization.

Because of his superior mind, Richard had a hard time relating to people of average intellect. As a result, depression and loneliness took a toll on him. At low points, he often found solace in substance and alcohol abuse.

Richard left behind a wealth of ideas and concepts that may very well change the future of space exploration and nuclear power. He also left behind many fond memories with his friends and colleagues. As they came up and shared their stories about Richard, I looked around the room and saw the smiles on their faces and eyes beaming with joy as the remembered their dear friend. It truly was a celebration of his life. I was honored to participate.

Related Links:
Richard Westfall, Obituary
Richard Merrill Westfall Levi, Resume
Richard's Website



~