Love, Paul & Theone
So happy for the opportunity to respond with a few thoughts about Johann, one of the finest men I have had the pleasure of knowing. Never, when I first met Johann as a young missionary in South Africa, could I have ever imagined I would someday be his brother-in-law. As one of the first South Africans I met, I was immediately impressed with his mastery of his second language, English, speaking with such precision and correctness as to belie his Afrikaans roots.
It was only much later that I learned of his many advanced degrees and honorariums. I spent a few months as temporary mission secretary, mid-mission, stuck in the Mission Home on crutches following a mishap while cavorting on a mine dump, While there and attending Ramah Branch, I had the opportunity to participate in a few Sunday school classes taught by Johann, and also to hear a few of his sermons. Without doubt he was one of the most knowledgeable and interesting people I had ever met. One was disappointed to have church end when he commanded the podium. He confided to me later while I was studying for my MBA Degree, that all his public presentations, which seemed to the listener to be so spontaneous and unrehearsed, required many hours of preparation to satisfy his own self-imposed standards.
I have tried throughout my life to remember this sage bit of advice, and to prepare well for any public presentation in business, church, etc., whatever the occasion. He was truly a wise man, and over the past 50 plus years since I married Lilian's sister Theone, and even before, I developed respect and admiration for this great man, a total man who I have looked up to as a successful husband, father, church and civic leader, successful businessman, skilled teacher and musician, man of letters and high intellect, trusted brother-in-law and friend, and, not the least, a total "car nut" as am I.
While in South Africa, I had noted that Johann drove Mercedes Benz automobiles. I would later learn of his love for these fine German cars, he purchasing the latest, and often fastest, new models. Thus, I became a devotee myself, currently still owning 3, one of which is a clone of one of his favorite SL roadsters that he often spoke of, which sits just a few feet from where I am, in my garage. This fact was driven home in the summer of 1969 when Theone and I drove across country in my pristine 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 coupe to meet Johann and Lilian at JFK Airport when they arrived from South Africa for their first Stateside visit. Our plan being to drive through New York State, then up through New England into Canada, after which we would re-enter the States and drive west for the trip back to Utah, sightseeing the USA along he way.
While in South Africa, I had noted that Johann drove Mercedes Benz automobiles. I would later learn of his love for these fine German cars, he purchasing the latest, and often fastest, new models. Thus, I became a devotee myself, currently still owning 3, one of which is a clone of one of his favorite SL roadsters that he often spoke of, which sits just a few feet from where I am, in my garage. This fact was driven home in the summer of 1969 when Theone and I drove across country in my pristine 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 coupe to meet Johann and Lilian at JFK Airport when they arrived from South Africa for their first Stateside visit. Our plan being to drive through New York State, then up through New England into Canada, after which we would re-enter the States and drive west for the trip back to Utah, sightseeing the USA along he way.
However, when Johann saw my car, my beloved muscle car, which had just successfully completed a 3 day 2500 mile mad dash from Provo, south through Arizona & New Mexico, then east through Texas and the southern states to Florida, finally up the east coast to New York City, while seeing the sights along the way as we could squeeze them in between our marathon driving stretches, mostly at night, and experiencing no car troubles, crazy I know...we were young, anyway when Johann saw my car he exclaimed, "This junker will never make it back to Utah, you were lucky to make it this far, we need to trade it in now on a new car, preferably a Mercedes". Being somewhat taken back, I reasoned with him that it had proven itself thus far as a sound car that could safely get us home, and reminded him I was a BYU student, and that Theone and I, having just spent our meager life savings buying a little home in Provo, were woefully short of funds for a new car, least of all a Mercedes. He said he was willing to help us out with the cost, but after driving in the car for a few days, when we got to Canada he conceded if I was hell bent on risking the 2000 mile trek in my old beater, and was confident it wouldn't strand us out in the wide nothingness of mid-America, they'd take a chance with us.
So the four of us headed West to see the sights, most of which even I had never seen, such as the then just completed St. Louis Arch which rises 630 feet above the Mississippi River, and is accessible to its top only in a very compact capsule with no outside vision that holds 4, with the couples sitting across from each other with knees about into their chins, and slowly rises to an enclosed observation area, itself very compact, on top.
Back on the road again, with Johann maybe feeling that the back seat of my car wasn't such a bad place to be after all, we continued west, next stopping for a cowboy fix in Dodge City, then Deadwood, and on to the Royal Gorge in Colorado, before heading due south to Arizona for a view of the Grand Canyon. The trip took about a week, and thankfully the little Cutlass ran perfectly for the entire return trip, save for a flat tire driving up through Utah from the Canyon, just short miles from Provo... we made it in on the spare. It was a memorable trip where I really got to know my in-laws, and formed a lasting bond of friendship. They stayed with us for another week or so before returning home, completing the first of many visits over the next 50 plus years, in the States and South Africa, even Australia.
I'm reminded often by friends ("you know, you married far above yourself Paul") that one of my better accomplishments in life was convincing Theone to marry me, for many reasons, not the least of which has been becoming a part of her South African family, including especially, the Brummer Clan. This allowed me the great privilege of having for a brother-in-law a man such as Johann Brummer to look up to and call my friend. I will miss him, as will Theone, as I speak for both of us here. God be with you Johann, as he surely will be.
All our Love,
Paul & Theone Evans
From Theone....Just a post script to what Paul said, I want to add my own personal love and admiration for Johann, the true love of my sister Lilian. Growing up and spending many hours in their home, I saw firsthand the qualities of my brother-in-law as a husband and as a father, and felt his love and devotion to me as Lilian's little sister. Since my early childhood memories, at about age 8, I thought of Johann as "family". He would tease me with that familiar twinkle in his eyes. As I grew into young womanhood I would sometimes stay with Johann and Lilian during school holidays. Johann would often call home, with Lilian sometimes telling me to answer the phone. Our voices sounding similar as I grew up; I was often mistakenly called "Skattebol" (Darling). This happened so many times that Johann's amusement became kind of a joke. I will miss his love and concern for me as Lilian's sister...truly family for sure. My only consolation at his passing is that he is freed from his pain and suffering, and is at last with Lilian, the two of them together again, always.
Back on the road again, with Johann maybe feeling that the back seat of my car wasn't such a bad place to be after all, we continued west, next stopping for a cowboy fix in Dodge City, then Deadwood, and on to the Royal Gorge in Colorado, before heading due south to Arizona for a view of the Grand Canyon. The trip took about a week, and thankfully the little Cutlass ran perfectly for the entire return trip, save for a flat tire driving up through Utah from the Canyon, just short miles from Provo... we made it in on the spare. It was a memorable trip where I really got to know my in-laws, and formed a lasting bond of friendship. They stayed with us for another week or so before returning home, completing the first of many visits over the next 50 plus years, in the States and South Africa, even Australia.
I'm reminded often by friends ("you know, you married far above yourself Paul") that one of my better accomplishments in life was convincing Theone to marry me, for many reasons, not the least of which has been becoming a part of her South African family, including especially, the Brummer Clan. This allowed me the great privilege of having for a brother-in-law a man such as Johann Brummer to look up to and call my friend. I will miss him, as will Theone, as I speak for both of us here. God be with you Johann, as he surely will be.
All our Love,
Paul & Theone Evans
From Theone....Just a post script to what Paul said, I want to add my own personal love and admiration for Johann, the true love of my sister Lilian. Growing up and spending many hours in their home, I saw firsthand the qualities of my brother-in-law as a husband and as a father, and felt his love and devotion to me as Lilian's little sister. Since my early childhood memories, at about age 8, I thought of Johann as "family". He would tease me with that familiar twinkle in his eyes. As I grew into young womanhood I would sometimes stay with Johann and Lilian during school holidays. Johann would often call home, with Lilian sometimes telling me to answer the phone. Our voices sounding similar as I grew up; I was often mistakenly called "Skattebol" (Darling). This happened so many times that Johann's amusement became kind of a joke. I will miss his love and concern for me as Lilian's sister...truly family for sure. My only consolation at his passing is that he is freed from his pain and suffering, and is at last with Lilian, the two of them together again, always.
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