I just received an email alert with a message from Curt Smith, and feel it's appropriate to share here as well. J. Patrick Rooney, former chairman of Golden Rule Insurance, has gone to be with the Lord. Everyone at Veritas Rex is saddened by this loss. Below is Curt's message.
The conservative movement in general and the Indiana Family Institute in particular lost a dear friend today with the passing of the Honorary Chairman of our Center-Right Coalition in Indiana, J. Patrick Rooney.
Pat was a policy pioneer and an advocate for the least fortunate among us. He worked tirelessly for those trapped by limited school options or wracked with few if any health care resources. He was also a keen mind and a generous supporter of conservative causes that sought to help everyone, not just the elites.
On a personal note, he was a very special friend and encourager of mine over the years. During one particularly challenging time, he sent me a personal note and a check that -- unknown to him -- paid for a family vacation I was debating canceling due to a financial set back. How he knew of our situation remains a confirmation to me to this moment that he was tuned in to a still quiet voice that speaks with far greater authority than any other voice we may ever hear.
While we in this realm can never know with certainty how Eternity greets anyone but ourselves at that moment of the encounter with the Divine, I won't be surprised to learn Pat Rooney heard that voice say this very day, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mr. Rooney's work, I encourage you to look at the brief summary on Wikipedia. It describes a passionate man who was a tireless advocate for the poor.
