John Apple
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John Apple
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Mourning Twente “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” Ps. 90:12 On February 12, 2005, Dr. George E. Twente, II, was killed while doing what he loved: flying an airplane. During my stay in the M.D.O.C., I have been privileged to be under the care of some excellent psychiatrists; but, even among such company, Dr. Twente stands out. He was professional, yet personable; and he really cared about his patients! The residents and the staff members of the East Mississippi Correctional Facility in Meridian, are deeply mourning his loss. Dr. Twente and I hit it off immediately. He and I both attended Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Twente graduated in 1963; I graduated in 1972. He and I both attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Twente was a member of the KA fraternity. I had pledged PiKA during my junior year. We both were Mississippians who supported the civil rights movement during the 1960s and 1970s. I saw Dr. Twente the day before he died. I had been to Medical in order to be treated for a cold and fever. As I was leaving, I passed an office where Dr. Twente was sitting. He motioned for me to come in, and we chatted for about 10 minutes. I asked him if he would recommend the medical profession to young people. He told me, yes, but added that he had worked very hard to keep balance in his life. Instead of trying to be a super psychiatrist, he said, he chose to make time for his family life. He was genuinely interested in my penitentiary history, particularly my experiences with the Parchman Band. He said that one of his sons had played guitar in a band. Dr. Twente was glad to be able to support him in his younger years, so that he would be able to do this. Dr. Twente added that he also was glad when his son got a regular job, and took on his band as a sideline. A blues record of Stevie Ray Vaughn was playing in the background as we talked. We discussed how Stevie Ray had been killed in a helicopter crash, and how that we, as humans, never know from one day to the next how our lives will unfold. I told him, “I do not know how my life is going to play out; but I do know that, whatever comes, God’s grace will be sufficient.” Dr. Twente said, “That is the way I like to hear you talk!” About that time, a nurse came in the office with a list of names. “Dr. Twente, your next group of patients has arrived”, the nurse said. With that, I was out the door. The next day I heard the news. Dr. Twente was indeed a super psychiatrist, and I am deeply affected by his death. I feel as if a member of my own family died. “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21. “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” Amen! |
Copyright © 2008 John P. Alexander, II and John Apple. All rights reserved worldwide. |
