This page is dedicated to the memory of the members of the Kansas Auctioneers Association who have passed on. Their contributions to the KAA are mirrored by the memories shared by those who knew them best: their family, their friends, business acquaintances, and those whose auctions they held.
We salute them and thank them!
This poem was written by the Dick Gehring, son of Floyd Gehring, in honor of his father who passed away in the fall of 1999 as the result of a vehicle accident on his way to an auction.
It is a fitting tribute for all deceased Kansas Auctioneer Association members.
(This poem is reprinted with permission from the Gehring family.)
Last Sale
A man went to an auction on Saturday
Along the way, he found an item, too precious to let go astray.
The auction bill was filled with all kinds of things,
There were balls and bats, pups and cats, and even wedding rings.
At the bottom of the sale bill, were words worthy of attention,
In big black print; "Many, many friends, too numerous to mention."
At the beginning of the sale, the man saw a handsome little boy,
Milking cows, doing chores and chanting that auction joy.
He saw parents of joy, love, kindness, and great strength.
Making sure their children had the tools, to fill their shoes,
And for that, they went to any length.
He saw two sisters, oh so sweet, he heard the angels sing,
He saw four brothers jump and shout, run and laugh.
And do most everything.
They teased and played along the way,
Some were quiet and subdued.
One kicked in the barn door, and climbed a tree,
To stay out of Papa's view.
He saw two souls coming together as children often do,
A first date at Coronado Heights was just the ticket,
The beginning for me and you.
He saw many lives whose paths were crossed
By friendship and a friendly name.
These lives were touched by honesty, integrity,
A great sense of fair play; many were never the same.
He saw many friends, pass through the sale.
Some there, some gone before.
The thought of all these past and gone,
Makes easier the passage through the door.
He saw children, grand-children, and even a great few,
Some in-laws, some out-laws; all of them tried and true.
Could it be, one seller could touch so many lives in such a way?
The friendships, the benefits, the fund-raisers,
The pursuit of a Christian life, in everyday.
The man saw artwork, paintings galore, of which the seller had much love,
You see his wife, his life, of 49 years, had been his precious dove.
The he saw some buffalo, so majestic and so great,
An awesome beast to watch, be he must move on, or else be late.
And then he saw a rider make his way, with the setting of the sun,
He topped the hill, and then sat still, upon the handsome dun.
When the rider, his time run out, and he'd heard the last bell stroke,
Was picked up be a life-long friend, and together they rode off,
On Old Big Black Smoke.
Yes, Christ went to an auction on Saturday,
Along the way , he picked that item,
Too precious to let go astray.
At the end of the auction, the gavel struck.
The gallery quiet, the sale now was done.
The items: One Lifetime.
The price: One Soul
The buyer: Christ, bidder number 1.
