Monday, October 18, 2010

Dan Gravelyn: Thank you for your prayers for Karen, Dan and family

Dan Gravelyn 1951 - 2010

GRAVELYN - Daniel R. Gravelyn, age 51, passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010, after a hope-filled and courageous battle with leukemia in the loving arms of his devoted wife, Karen, and surrounded by family. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 17th at O'Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Dan's life will be celebrated on Monday, October 18th at Ada Congregational Church, 6330 Ada Dr. SE at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Gary Burdick, officiating. (from the obituary)

Barnes & Thornburg Remembers the Life of Partner Daniel R. Gravelyn

Attorneys and staff at Barnes & Thornburg honor the life of partner Daniel R. Gravelyn, who passed away Saturday, Oct. 9, after a courageous fight against leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and daughter, Sarah. 

Dan, 51, served as chair of the Grand Rapids office litigation team and co-chair of the firm-wide Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group. He also was instrumental in helping to build the Grand Rapids office. He represented clients across the country in the litigation of complex business disputes, including antitrust, business torts, product liability defense and securities matters. In addition, he defended clients in white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions. 

“Dan was known nationally as a tremendous legal mind and someone who was a tireless advocate for his clients’ interests,” said Tracy T. Larsen, managing partner of the firm’s Grand Rapids office. “Most importantly, though, we remember him as a great friend and partner with whom we shared many wonderful memories. While we grieve for a life lost and the family he leaves behind, we will cherish the time we spent with him as a colleague and friend.”

During his legal career, Dan was recognized in the 2007-2010 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Antitrust. He served in various leadership positions in the Michigan and Grand Rapids legal communities. He was a past chairman of the Michigan Bar Association Section on Antitrust, Franchising and Trade Regulation and a member of the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan and the ABA Section on Antitrust Law. 

Outside of his legal work, Dan loved to play hockey and was an avid hiker and mountain climber. He climbed many of the tallest mountains in the world and always returned with some amazing stories and pictures of places where words would not do them justice.   

He graduated cum laude from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He received a bachelor’s degree with honors from Michigan State University in both political science and economics. Dan also was a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and was admitted to practice in both Michigan and Illinois. 

Dan was involved in the Grand Rapids community and served as a director and member of the Executive Committee of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, and as a commissioner on the Grand Rapids Planning Commission.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Let's pray that we grow in gratitude for all the gifts given to us (OT & Gospel this week).  And let us pray that we will trust in the Lord, "if we have died with him, so shall we live with him." (Paul's letter to Timothy).  Give us the vision to know Your way, Lord, especially comfort Karen and Dan (Dan has been given less than a day to live; from the doctors assessment), bring healing to Pat (an infection came back) and thank you Lord for the progress of Joseph Gregory (gained another pound ~ 3 now).

Birthdays: Judy Lay (10/8), Bill Smith (10/8), Cameron Stevens (10/8).  Anniversaries: Pat and Mary Norton (10/10)

Keeping in-touch: It has been a busy work-week.  We decided not to go camping and try to catch-up on all our reading: Marge with Stephens Ministry and John with school work and web pages.  We visited with quite a few faculty/staff friends at the Faculty Appreciation Dinner.  Baseball season has ended for the Rockies, but a local boy pitched a no-hitter in the post-season (Roy Halladay from Arvada West for Phillies).  I did get to play a little tennis; and I've decided to get in shape!!!

The Readings: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "When people on retreat realize, over time, how deeply they have been loved, their great desire is to give to the lover, to give in return."
My comments: As I write this blog entry I can only think of Karen and Dan (on what we're told is Dan's last hours).  For me it is Providence that I read the second reading where St Paul writes:
I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
There is so much we do not understand and we suffer with those we love.  God's not answering our prayers the way we wish; but He's listening, and He's answering in some way we will one day know.  May we realize, "How deeply we have been loved."

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John