Obituary of Christopher William Waldvogel

Christopher William Waldvogel was born on February 8, 1991 in direct answer to prayer. When his older brother Gregory was four years old, he announced, “I am going to pray for a brother when I am five, and then you will see what will happen!” Kirsten, then two, decided with equal certainty that if her sister turned out to be a brother, she would simply “call him a girl.” Joyfully received by both elder siblings, Chris was a bright-eyed, happy addition to the family. From the start, he was happiest playing with Legos, Thomas the Tank Engine, or reading a book. He could often be found playing in the backyard, humming wordless songs to himself at high volumes, intently watching spiders or other insects, making up odd poems, all with the most intensely happy demeanor, seemingly without a care in the world, and without a hint of the struggles he would soon begin to face. He certainly was one of the happiest, most tranquil, and agreeable parts of God’s creation, always eager to please and almost never needing discipline or even encouragement. Bit by bit, certain physical limitations started to become evident. In these early days, Chris was unable to learn to tie his shoelaces or ride a bike. When he started kindergarten, he wasn’t able to hop or balance on a beam, and tired easily when walking; Christopher’s explanation was that his feet didn’t touch the ground and he needed to be carried. He began seriously planning to be an astronaut, with the thought that he could easily float around space without the need for help, and we clearly remember how devastating it was for him to read of the ill-effects of long-term human exposure to micro-gravity. That October, he was diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. Slowly losing his mobility, he compensated for his physical limitations by excelling at anything and everything else. Right from the start, Chris was fortunate to have hand-picked teachers and support staff at school who loved him and recognized his intellectual capacity, enabling his needs to be met so he could remain in school. By the end of fourth grade he was wheelchair-bound. His little sister Melissa loved zipping to and from school on the back of his chair. He managed very well with a personal aide and power chair, the latter of which became the envy of his classmates: the honor of eating lunch with Christopher and his teacher was highly sought after. Alongside the accumulation of academic laurels throughout middle and high school, he underwent several surgeries to maintain his health and prevent further complications related to his disease. Persevering through these trials, he emerged valedictorian of his high school class. Accepted into the Honors College at Hofstra University, Chris majored in English and minored in Religion and Creative Writing. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, he continued his education with the pursuit of a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Both his Honors College undergraduate and graduate theses are autobiographical, combining his own lived experiences with his storied fascination with the natural world. His graduate thesis in particular offers insight into his own spiritual growth and personal experiences with his Heavenly Father, and has had a profound impact on those who have read it. He continued to write after finishing his second degree, but his declining health did not allow him to produce as much as he would have wished. Christopher’s many and varied interests continued to occupy his mind, from aviation to entomology to Bach and Brahms. He especially enjoyed reading science fiction, and wrote several short stories and made progre in ss towards his own book. Many of his pieces centered on connections made between his own condition and observed wildlife, exemplified by ‘Red Bird,’ one of his published narrative essays about a particularly distinctive cardinal that frequented the feeder outside his bedroom window. One of his favorite places since early childhood was Pilgrim Camp. He was able to be a camper from ages 6 to 9, in the Cottage with his mother and a member of the “Hopeful” group with his father. In years following, Chris was able to stay as a guest in the Andryuks’ home, and always thought of this as his second home, and the Andryuks as some of his closest friends. On one of these occasions, Brother Ed Louton (who became another good friend) encouraged the congregation to study Psalm 119, and it was on that admonition that Chris began the monumental task of memorizing the entire Psalm. Not only did he accomplish his goal, but he continued to keep those words fresh in his mind. It was very evident from what he was reading and studying that God was drawing him closer to Himself. As his physical strength continued to decrease and he was no longer able to breathe without assistance, it was obvious to all those around him that his soul was becoming stronger and more focused on what was most important. This memorial would not be complete without giving thanks to God for all the people who were involved with Christopher’s care. His primary care physicians took a personal interest in him and made getting the special services he required much easier. The orthopedists who were involved with his diagnosis and surgeries made certain he understood what was being done and why it was necessary. His cardiologists insisted on getting the best images possible and prescribed medication to minimize strain on his heart. Most importantly perhaps, his pulmonologists did their best to keep his lungs clear. Chris was so thankful for the physical and occupational therapists who spent so much time with him every week. As they worked on maintaining his strength and health, some over many years, friendships developed which enriched both the patient and the professional. The aides who provided care and assistance through his years at school made it possible for him to continue his education in public school. It would not have been possible to give Chris the level of care he received at home without the aides who gave of their time and love and enriched his life. Our family life quickly evolved and then revolved around Chris for many years, focusing on making him comfortable, mobile, and engaged with his many interests. As our family expanded with the additions of Renata and Joe, and then later on Sophia, James and Katerina, Chris became a very thoughtful and generous uncle. His gifts were always carefully planned and very well received; like books with accompanying stuffed animals that quickly became favorites. “Uncle” enjoyed watching his nieces and nephew’s silly antics and they loved visiting Planting Fields with him, or just coming over to play cars or Thomas with him. Although it became increasingly difficult to maintain his ability to travel, Chris remained positive and passionately in love with his Savior, confident that God makes no mistakes, and that he could safely trust the One who died in his place. When praying during our family worship (his prayers generally lasted a long time), he almost always began with the phrase “we know that You know what’s best”, and then chose one of his favorite the songs “Conquering Now, and Still to Conquer” at the end of our worship. This song, and the verses which inspired it, seemed to encourage him with hope from a very early age, that physical strength, endurance, and speed, are not as important as being faithful and true to the last. Following several years of relative stability and very gradual decline, Chris recently began experiencing difficulty breathing and eating, and was admitted to the hospital where his Aunt Judy and close friend John Andryuk are employed. Christopher cycled through recovery and decline many times over a period of about a week, overseen by Judy and those she worked with and many she trained, and remotely monitored by his uncle, Dr. Bill. The staff gave him the best care, the kindest attention, and most support anyone could have received. Chris endured a long, severe, and continuous conflict which most of us can barely imagine, and demonstrated so clearly that it is possible to follow our King into battle, to be victorious in His strength, and to live a life worth living, regardless of situation or ability. He was well-loved! Conquering now and still to conquer, Rideth a King in His might, Leading the host of all the faithful Into the midst of the fight; See them with courage advancing, Clad in their brilliant array, Shouting the name of their Leader, Hear them exultingly say: Not to the strong is the battle, Not to the swift is the race; Yet to the true and the faithful Vict’ry is promised through grace Sallie Martin Christopher will be lovingly remembered by his father James, his mother Elizabeth, his brother Gregory, sister-in-law Renata, sister Kirsten, brother-in-law Joseph, sister Melissa, nieces Sophia and Katerina, and nephew James; as well as the extended Knaupp and Waldvogel families. Isaiah 40:3-4 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: We usually read these verses in the very specific historical, and even geographical, context of John the Baptist’s preparatory work for the ministry of Jesus. We are right to do so; each one of the Gospels references this passage in precisely that context, and the Apostle John records the Baptist identifying himself to the Pharisees with the words of verse 3. These two verses are familiar to us—so familiar that we sometimes gloss over them. We can find ourselves setting this passage down to a particular time and place, and leaving it there without seeing any application it could have to ourselves. I know; I have no idea how many times I read verse 4, or heard it spoken or sung, before I suddenly realized that I could ask God to work it out in my own heart—and that He would do it. And is not that how we should read this verse? John was not building a highway in the desert by the Jordan; the Holy Spirit was using John’s cry to repentance to make a way into the deserts of his hearers’ hearts for the Lord Jesus, who alone could bring that repentance to fruition. That is how the Holy Spirit always works: inside. Everyone who comes to Christ is brought that way, and everyone who comes to Christ is brought to the Father. The process is a continuous one, and not confined to the initial stages of our conversion. If the Holy Spirit could work to bring us to Christ in the first place, surely He can work now to perfect us in Christ, and to use us, as He used John, to prepare a way in others. When we are tempted to look at ourselves, at all the ways we fall short, at all the ways we fail to glorify God, we do not have to give in to despair. Our shortcomings are serious, and we should never treat them lightly, but there is a remedy. Jesus opened the way for us, and he will help us to walk in it. I can bring my case before God, surrender myself and my problems to Him, and ask that His will be done in me. If I really do that, really make a habit of it, then I can know that… Every valley—my weak faith, my cold love, the convictions I’m almost ashamed of; these low things—shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill—whatever pride or self-reliance, whatever idols prevent my right relationship with God; these high things—shall be made low: and the crooked—every wrong motive, every sinful impulse, every deception of my heart— shall be made straight, and the rough places—the little annoyances and worries that make me irritable, hamper my witness and keep me from living in the peace of God; these things shall be made—plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5 --Christopher W. Waldvogel In lieu of flowers, which are appropriate and deeply appreciated, but of little lasting value, consideration should be given to making a tax-deductible donation in memory of Christopher Waldvogel to the following organizations to which he contributed personally, and which he valued: • Ridgewood Pentecostal Church, 457 Harman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237, (Personal check preferred) • Pilgrim Camp Children’s Fund, (Donate online by credit card or bank account) • Hands at Work, Africa, (Donate online through PayPal or credit/debit card, select “In memory of Chris Waldvogel” or alternate, as desired) • Muscular Dystrophy Association (Donate by PayPal, credit card, Apple Pay, bank account) • Alternately, a personal check can be given or sent to Ridgewood Pentecostal Church at the address above, with one of more of the first three above intended recipients noted on the check (RPC, Pilgrim Camp and Hands at Work), and the funds will be forwarded directly to the recipient(s) in their entirety. * Links Can be found on the right side of this page*