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RAIN Temp: 46 °F Wind: ESE at 3 mph Friday, December 13, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 28, 2002 Pastor Erv Voogd, right, prays with Pete Petrie, 96, during a visit. Voogd survived heart problems and a stroke and now helps others find a reason to carry on in difficult times. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell A heart attack, surgery and stroke taught him gratitude. Now he teaches others By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Erv Voogd has not always been able to say that he’s thankful. Not too long ago, after a series of health crises, the 66-year-old Jacksonville minister couldn’t say anything at all. His problems began five years ago, when he suffered a heart attack, which led to quintuple bypass surgery, which was followed by a stroke, which cost him most of his vision. "That was the most difficult time for me," said Voogd, a former chaplain at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "I didn’t know my wife. I didn’t know anyone." Internal bleeding in his neck caused damage to his vocal cords, and he couldn’t speak. For two years, he had bouts of depression. But Voogd (pronounced "vogue") said his wife would not let him give up. "She’s a very courageous gal," he said. That courage was part of the inspiration that led him two Sundays ago to give his first sermon in five years. Jan Voogd said that comeback is remarkable. She recalled driving to the hospital after receiving the call that her husband had had a stroke, couldn’t speak and was paralyzed on his right side. "I can remember passing a mortuary and thinking, ‘Is this the end?’ " she said. But upon arriving at the hospital, she learned that he had regained some movement, and that was all the encouragement she needed. She said she has been optimistic ever since and hasn’t had one moment of "why me?" "I’ve lived it one day at a time," said Jan. Erv describes his wife of 45 years as an optimist. "The doctors said, ‘Everyone’s got to live with some limitations,’ and my wife never listened to those words," he said. Voogd’s physical therapy involved learning how to breathe properly, and after he received a Teflon implant in his vocal cords, learning how to speak again. He also had to relearn how to read, helped by his grandchildren. "My 9-year-old granddaughter said, ‘Grandpa, you gotta learn with me,’" he said. The Voogds have five adult children, including two daughters, Alicia Sample of Central Point and Beth Coker of Medford. They, too, helped rebuild his life. "Those two are both in the field of physical therapy and they kept saying, ‘Dad, you’re never going to give up, you’re never going to give up,’ " he said. "In the stroke I lost almost all my eyesight," he said. "Now I can drive again today." He credits his faith for helping him to move forward every day. "The Lord gave me a lot of conviction and strength," he said. And now he coaches others in how to find that strength. In April, Voogd, who is also a trained psychologist, became a "calling pastor" for the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. He visits hospital patients and elderly people, making about a dozen calls per week. One of the people he visits and prays with is Pete Petrie. Petrie, 96, lives in a Medford retirement home and retired as the postmaster in Rogue River 22 years ago. Petrie was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and Petrie’s wife, Midge, to whom he was married for 68 years, died two months ago. Voogd said that Petrie’s grieving is one of the things they talk about during their visits. They also discuss current events. And they pray together. Petrie said the regular visits lift his spirits. "By the time he walks out of the room you’re feeling much better," said Petrie. "If there were more of him around we’d be a lot better off." Voogd said that on his visits he encourages people to "take an inventory of themselves" and notice the gifts they’ve been given. He said that as a calling pastor, he gives people "an opportunity to do some introspection and talk about the meaning of life." On Nov. 17, Erv gave his first sermon in five years before the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville congregation. Jan Voogd said she watched him, remembering how far he had come. "I just sat there that morning, and I could hardly keep the tears back," she said. "I’m very proud of him because he fought a big battle." Voogd said even though he has moments of mixing up words, such as when he meant to ask for a plate and asked for a washing machine, he has a lot he’s thankful for. "I’m very, very happy today," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S