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March 05, 2003
Consul: March 5th, 2003
To Our Alumni Brothers, Family, and Friends:
The past two weeks have been difficult ones for us. We have ridden the emotional roller coaster—from the moment we learned Nate was hurt… to his positive and negative prognoses from the doctors…. to the shocking word of his death…to the moving tributes and support we have experienced from all of you.
Thursday we chartered two coaches up to Clinton Township, Michigan, to support the family and experience the celebration of Nate’s life. Nearly 100 people made the trek, comprising of over 60 Sigs and many members of the orchestra and VU student community. In addition, a few alumni brothers in the Detroit area came to the service to show support—a gesture that meant a lot to the undergraduate chapter. The service itself was beautiful, with Nate’s father, Pastor Barry Osterbur giving a moving tribute that reminded us of the best Nate brought to all of us while also giving comfort to a grieving people. The ride home saw an upbeat chapter of men playing cards, sharing stories, and enjoying the company of one another—a great end to a very moving day.
Friday was the VU memorial service in the Chapel of the Resurrection. The Symphony Orchestra played all of the music in the service, including the famous Cello concerto (and favorite of Nate’s), “The Swan”, by Saint-Saens. President Harre and I gave short remarks in memory of Nate while the Symphony closed the service with Brahms Finale from Symphony No. 1 in C-Minor. As the service folder noted, the piece began in a somber and melancholy tone, representing our difficult earthly lives—but ended in a resounding hymn, reminding us of our eternal lives that welcome us after our time in this place is finished.
The final act of removing Nate’s empty chair and music stand from its place in the orchestra to a new place underneath the Christus Rex in the chancel was a touching moment—one I’ll never forget.
We now have departed for our spring recess—a two week period which this year will provide a new type of rest for each of us. I believe it could come at no more important time, as brothers take time away to reflect and refresh.
On behalf of the Iota Sigma Chapter, I would like to express our sincere thanks for all of the prayers, notes, emails, phone calls, and donations we have received over the past two weeks. The response has been positively overwhelming.
Throughout the week the chapter ate dinner together with food provided by the Panhellenic Council as well as local churches. Flowers continuously arrived at our doorstep and still sit vibrantly throughout our living room. The charter buses that took us to the funeral at first seemed to be economically unfeasible. However, through over $2,500 of donations by campus Greek organizations and over $1,000 by Iota Sigma alumni, we had the opportunity to attend—something for which we are so grateful. I cannot express the gratitude we feel for all of those who have reached out to us in the past weeks.
There are talks about starting a scholarship fund or some similar entity in Nate’s honor. We will keep you abreast of such efforts as they become more clear.
For now, please continue to pray for the Osterbur family as well as the rest of us as we continue to grieve and cope with such a loss.
And thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your support. It means so much.
God’s Blessings,
David Martens