While trying to find some semblance of eloquence all I can think of is "We've lost another wonderful human being, but thankfully, we still have the Kardashians."
(As I laugh to myself with tear-filled eyes I can hear my uncle's prominent, distinctive howl-one that anyone who knew him knew all too well.)
For me, James Lawrence Prasch was and will always be the ring-leader of what I called the "Loud Family" when referencing the Prasch family as a whole during my childhood years. (God, those parties were loud and in the center of it all was my Uncle Jim.) To a shy child, the sight of a 6'0", bearded, strong, intelligent, and high-energy individual was daunting, especially when the rest of the family is lucky to hit 5'7". As overwhelming as he was to me then, I could tell right away-that the energy was always from a great place...and that it was infectious. He was the uncle who worked at/knew someone at the ski lodge. He was the uncle that could fix/build anything. He was a leader and a presence.
Years passed by and admittedly, I regret we didn't have more conversations, but always felt there was something unspoken between he and I-words didn't need to be shared per se; that things were just understood. Unbeknownst to me, I think this was a subtle lesson from him about "less is more". When I think of my uncle I think of someone who couldn't sit still, who was obsessed with learning, and loved working with his hands-and that at 36 I'm proud to say I'm in possession of similar traits and I know he's a big reason for that. In my first (and only) text to him some months back I shared a picture of me holding up some tools as I was redoing the garage and mentioned how I had just driven by Fenwick and the old Maypole Avenue house address. I wanted him to know that as I walk these streets of Chicago it's an honor knowing he and so many of my family before me have left their footprints as well...and that I'm proud to carry on the tradition.
Uncle Jim, you were one of the most kind, genuine, and sincere people I've ever known and your presence will be missed beyond words. Whether you knew it or not, you touched many lives in your life. It is with great reverence I say that it is both an honor and a privilege to share your name and that if our Catholicism is accurate-I look forward to the day we can see each other again. To my cousins, Amy and Dan, their immediate families, and my Aunt Diane-my thoughts are with you all.
James Lawrence Leinweber
