Uncommonly Hobert: Two Things To Worry About.

Hard to believe, but it’s almost been two years since BOOTPRINTS author and World War II 90th Infantry Division veteran, Hobert Winebrenner passed away.  I still think of him often.  He was truly one of a kind.

I first met Hobert in 2002.  Over the next seven years, I saw him almost every week.  No matter if it was a month or only days since our last meeting, he would always have a pile of “stuff” for me.  And by “stuff,” I mean cut-out magazine articles, photo copies from books, notes, sayings or jokes jotted down on a napkin or random piece of paper.  His mind never stopped.

Hobert had a very dry sense of humor.  I think he was always amused by the obscure.  I got it, and found him hilarious.

Hobert Winebrenner - Truly One of a Kind

I still come across these odds and ends on a regular basis.  Hobert thought them worthy of sharing with me, so I think I’ll share them with you.  How about an occasional, but reoccurring post dubbed, “Uncommonly Hobert?”

Yesterday, I was looking for some family pictures for a genealogy friend.  A small scrap of paper with cursive script fell from a dusty folder.  On seeing the note float to the floor, I had one thought–Hobert.  It was just his style.  I picked it up and sure enough, it was his handwriting.  But not on a napkin this time.  This was actually paper, though the bottom half torn from a full sheet.  When I read it, all I could do was shake my head and smile.  Typical HW.

I don’t know where he got it.  All I know is that he liked it enough to write it down and pass it on to me.  So, here you go.  Uncommonly Hobert.

“There are only two things to worry about. Either you are well or you are sick.  If you are well, then there is nothing to worry about.  But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about.  Either you will get well or you will die.  If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about.  But if you die, there are two things to worry about.  Either you will go to Heaven or Hell.  If you go to Heaven, then there is nothing to worry about.  But if you go to Hell, you’ll be so damn busy shaking hands with friends you won’t have time to worry.”

2 Responses to “Uncommonly Hobert: Two Things To Worry About”

1. Tristan says:

   March 30, 2011 at 8:09 pm

   Mike,
   what a great article. It is amazing.
   I always enjoyed talking with people from this generation ; listening to their stories is a real pleasure. You did a great job by preserving Hobert Winebrenner’s story.
   I recently re-read the Falaise Gap chapter in Booprints and I have some new infos and questions for you.
   Talk to you soon, take care.

   Tristan

   Reply
   • mikemccoy says:

     March 31, 2011 at 4:34 pm

     Hi Tristan,

     Always great to hear from you. We love new info and questions. Bring it!

     Reply