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News Item: 1999 Nov 24 - Gunawan Funeral
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| 1999 Nov 24 - Gunawan Funeral | 10 Mar 2002 |
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24 Nov 1999 - Utah Talk given by Chad Emmet at the funeral of Gunawan Tjokrokusumo on November 24, 1999: I am happy to be with you today to remember a wonderful friend. I would also like to express my thanks on behalf of Gunawan and his family to all of you who have befriended and helped and served as surrogate family to Gwan throughout his stay here in Utah. I would especially like to acknowledge the kind and caring efforts of Doug McGregor and Ralph Zobell who have done so much for Gwan during these past few days. Gunawan Tjokrokusumo passed away on November 19, 1999 at 2:20 p.m. in Provo, Utah, of cardiac arrest. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Dr. and Mrs. Widjoyo Tjokrokusumo and his stepmother Lieke Tjokrokusumo, who all currently live in Indonesia. Gunawan was born January 9, 1950 in Malang Indonesia on the island of Java, to Martha Neyoo and Wibowo Tjokrokusumo. It seems his coming in to the world was as dramatic as his departure for he was born on the steps of the hospital door. Gunawan's ancestors migrated to Java from China. As a child he enjoyed associating with the many members of his extended Chinese-Indonesian family. His father was a successful dentist and his mother a school principal. They provided a comfortable life for Gwan and his elder brother Widjoyo. It seems that as Gwan was growing up he was a mischievous little boy who loved to play pranks on his friends and family. He grew up in an era of great change in his native land. During his youth he was an eye witness to the violent purging of communism from Indonesia. Gwan attended Catholic parochial schools and later enrolled in medical school. He enjoyed learning to play the piano and delighted in giving piano concerts. While a young man his mother became very ill. Gwan's last memory of his mother was her insisting to peel a banana for him even though she was very weak and near death. He never forgot how much his mother loved and cared for him. Her death was very hard on Gunawan. It was during this time he became interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the pioneer converts in the Malang branch of the LDS Church. Gunawan traveled to the United States in 1973 in search of education and a better, happier life. He first lived in Pasadena, California with a Dutch family. During this time he refined his English skills so he could be accepted at BYU. His dream of attending BYU became a reality in 1975. After several years of schooling. Gunawan returned to Indonesia in 1978 to be with his family. This was to be a time of refinement and of learning. His father taught him discipline and assisted him in understanding some of life's most important lessons. One learned axiom that Gwan never forgot was "The greatest intention can never compare to the smallest deed." While in Indonesia, Gwan was employed as a journalist and provided service to the LDS church as an elder's quorum president and a district missionary. One of his most enjoyable assignments was as a primary teacher. Branch members still remember his participation in a primary play where he convincing portrayed the wicked Laban who refused to give the brass plates to Nephi and his brothers. Throughout his life Gwan found great delight in associating with children. Gunawan returned to the United States studying first at BYU-Hawaii and then again in Provo. He received a bachelor's degree in communications in 1982, a master's of public administration in 1984 and a master's of organizational communications in 1988. As a student Gwan supplemented his income by working for BYU Laundry Services. After graduation Gwan worked as a Human Resources Representative, a Social Services Assistant, a Culinary Instructor for Orem Community Education, and an Order Resolution Specialist for NuSkin from 1993 to present. NuSkin became a place of great devotion and appreciation for Gwan. He often commented on how much he enjoyed working with so many fine people. Gwan was a faithful member of the church and held several church callings, including ward pianist and home teacher. In 1993 he was called to serve as a coordinator for Indonesian language interpretation by the Presiding Bishopric. Gwan aided in the translation of General Conference talks, publications, and in assisting Indonesian members during first time visits to the temple. Gwan will be remembered by his friends for his exceptional culinary skills. It was a treat for many friends to be invited to Gwan's apartment or trailer for a delicious meal. He loved to cook Chinese or Indonesian dishes, but always ended the meal with one of his famous American deserts. Returned missionaries from Indonesia always looked forward to Gwan's delicious cooking at mission reunions. Faithful always in his service of food, Gunawan died while delivering treats to a friend at NuSkin. Gwan was also a talented pianist. He willing shared his talent and frequently volunteered to play at wedding receptions of friends. His talents were even heard across BYU's campus when he found the door to the newly installed carillon open and climbed to the top and proceeded to play the theme from Love Story. Gwan's other interests included conservative politics, non-traditional health techniques and a love of ballroom dance. He was always an advocate for the persecuted and downtrodden and enjoyed giving service to the poor and needy. On many occasions he donated his food and cooking talents to those in need. Gunawan was a true friend and had an amazing ability to remember the names of all the people he met. Throughout his life no matter what the circumstances or trial, he maintained his wonderful sense of humor. Memories of Gwan, with his unique and amazing personality, will no doubt bring a smile to all who knew him. I'm sure we all have favorite stories we remember. I would like to close with one of my favorites. While at BYU, Gunawan volunteered to join with a group of other students to provide an evening of entertainment to inmates at the Utah State Prison. Gwan chose to play a piano solo of the song "Born Free." Gunawan loved to tell how before playing the song he gave a stirring introduction in which he reminded the inmates that they too were born free. Then with a mischievous smile Gunawan would explain how just days later several inmates attempted an escape. Gwan felt for sure that his performance was some how the motivation behind the escape. I know that Gunawan now lives free. Talk given by Ralph R. Zobell at the funeral of Gunawan Tjokrokusomo on November 24, 1999 at the Suncrest 6th Ward Chapel in Orem, Utah: Between 150-200 people attended, among those being former missionaries Ross Marchant, Meldon Larson, David Brewer, Ralph Zobell, Michael Vowles, Chad Emmett, Frans Lambrechsen, John James, Curt Cummings, President and Sister Tueller, and Mary Ellen Edmunds. Several Indonesian Church members attended, among them were Handi and Wendy Mulia, Rocky Kadarusman, Edwin Tandiman, Dahono, and Anna Butler. Before I begin, I some special instruction: saya minta bantuan. Saya harap saya akan mewakili golongan Indonesia dengan baik dalam ceramah ini. Saya tidak mencari kesempatan ini. Saya ingin menundang semua orang Indonesia dan bekas missi berdiri sekarang...stay standing...these are the missionaries and members with whom Gwan has associated...silahkan duduk. Would all those who have known Gwan through a BYU class or Church ward please stand so others can identify you as his friends...silahkan duduk...those who have been Gwan's roommates please stand...silahkan duduk, there, you already know some Indonesian words. Also among you are those who served as his barber and mowed his lawn...those of you who haven't stood must be the employees of NuSkin, but if they contact those of you who have stood up and ask about joining their Emerald network, you'll now know where they found you, and they had better give the subscription credit to Gwan. Let me also inform you that the three of the pallbearers are from Indonesia: Handi Mulia, Rocky Kadarusman, and Edwin Tandiman; three of the pallbearers Chad Emmett, Frans Lambrechsen, and John James served missions in Indonesia; pallbearer Curt Holman was a member of the BYU Ballroom Dance team which Gwan loved so much; and pallbearer Phil Nauahi, is a former BYU football player and past roommate of Gwan. I should also mention Dr. Paul Pollei who is doing much of the music today was Gwan's piano teacher at BYU. The rest of the people on the program will be self-explanatory as the program proceeds and as you hear the rest of my talk. "Indonesia tanah air beta..." these are the words of an Indonesian patriotic song which say "Indonesia is my native land," and although I haven't sung them as well as the musical numbers which are being given in behalf of Gunawan Tjokrokusumo today, it gives you an idea of where Gwan began his life on this earth in Southeast Asia. Malang, Indonesia was Gwan's home through his childhood and teenage years. In thinking of home, picture Dorothy clutching Todo in the Wizard of Oz and clicking her red slippers saying "There's no place like home, there's no place like home..." The scriptures tell us about the home Gwan has gone back to in Alma 40:11-12: Behold, it has been made know unto me by an angle, that the spirits of all men as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. The spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." Knowing that Gwan is happy and in peace now, return with me in Gwan's life to the 1970s. In 1969 Elder Ezra Taft Benson dedicated the land of Indonesia, blessing the inhabitants of those 3,000 islands that the scales of darkness would fall from their eyes as they saw the Gospel light. Gwan is part of a fulfillment of that prophecy. He was very important in the early growth of the Church in Indonesia and continues to fulfill President Benson's prophecy on the other side of the veil from what we have learned through the vision of President Joseph F. Smith. Imagine Gwan, thousands of miles away from his native Indonesia when he came to America after being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Keith Williams. I should not that I spoke with Keith by phone in Medford, Oregon earlier this week and I understand his father from Sandy is in attendance today, since Keith isn't able to be here with us. Would you please stand. Keith's missionary companion who helped teach Gwan was hoping to be with us today, Elder David Hobson from Boise. After Elders Williams and Hobson taught Gwan and participated with other Elders in cooking lessons with Gwan and his older brother Widjoyo. They Elders taught Gwan and his brother how to bake cookies. Then Gwan decided to come to America and that is how I first became acquainted with him. While serving in Jakarta, I would hear my companions read letters from Gwan who was beginning as a student at BYU. I remember them reading about Gwan walking back from the cafeteria on campus to his dorm room at Deseret Towers. He thought he had walked into his room, but because all of thetowers looked the same to him, he accidently walked in the girl's dormitory. A shocked Gwan screamed louder than the coed who was in the middle of dressing. When I became a student at BYU after my mission, I picked Gwan out of the crowd, since I also lived at Deseret Towers. I was his Family Home Evening group leader. While there Gwan often poked fun at one of my friends for being a Democrat. Gwan even went so far as to attend meetings on campus for the Young Democrats, just to see who was there. He broke rules sometimes, once cooking a snake in his dorm room after he had captured it on campus. Though providing comic relief to several students and administrators, Gwan was often alone, by himself, a stranger in our land, and yet he had you and me. He reached out by letters and telephone to so many of us. In his final hours last Friday afternoon he was not alone as he returned to our Heavenly Father. It doesn't surprise you, does it, that last Friday at NuSkin Gwan was delivering a plate of cookies to Charles, who will soon sing to us this afternoon. Charles also reports that Gwan had a sense of humor and when Charles meets Gwan on the other side, he will tease him about not putting the cookies on his desk. Gwan of dropped them on the floor as he collapsed and died away almost instantly. At the hospital they showed us an x-ray of Gwan's chest, his heart was as big as a pumpkin- just as many of us saw in real life, Gwan had a big heart, literally and figuratively. I was asked by the group who met at the hospital to try to contact Gwan's family in Indonesia last Friday. His stepmother took the news very hard when I finally found her in Malang. Four times this week, Gwan's brother Widjoyo phoned me from Indonesia and asked that I tell Gwan's friends that Gunawan was really a good-hearted person. Let me back up. In the summer of 1986, I taught Gwan how to drive, or as one of our fellow Indonesian missionaries said, "I taught Gwan how to drive and I lived to tell about it." Gwan had trouble making left-hand turns at stoplight intersections, so the vocabulary word setengah, half-way, became very important or as Gwan would say, "Se-teng-Ah, Elder Zobell." After Gwan accidently drove us up on the sidewalk of K-Mart, I decided our driving lessons needed to take place at a safer place. Most of you have never been to the other side of Utah Lake, but Gwan has driven all around Utah Lake. When we went to take his driver's test, the policeman motioned for me to come to the car after Gwan had difficulty parallel parking. The officer wanted to diagram to me how to parallel park. Gwan interrupted our conversation several times, saying "do I pass, do I pass?" The officer was intent on sharing his information and told Gwan that he might not pass...Gwan started letting out strong words in J. Golden Kimball fashion, so I told him in Indonesian, "because you are speaking like that you don't pass." We had to go back for another test which Gwan passed. He loved the BYU Ballroom Dance performances, loved to share his piano playing abilities at wedding receptions, church meetings, and playing for BYU students in tap dance routines. He was a conscientious employee for NuSkin and several laundries at BYU. He was fluent in Dutch, Indonesian and English with his own special accent. Without fail he called one laundry coworker every year on her birthday. Before Gwan learned how to drive, we took him with our family to climb up to Mt. Timpanogos Cave. I wasn't aware that Gwan was afraid of heights. He stayed very close to the inside of the trail, but once we were inside the cave, he was fascinated. He grabbed more than the traditional salt and pepper shaker stalagmites and the tour guide caught him several times. I finally had to scold him in Indonesian to not touch the formations. So even though Gwan is gone, he has left his mark at Timpanogos Cave and in many other ways and places here among us. With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, you've heard it said, "There is no place like home for the holidays." Many of us had Gwan at our homes for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Halloween. I have seen a compassionate Gwan kissed many trick or treaters and babies on the forehead. One Halloween he cooked us the game-day stew recommended by Coach LaVell Edwards' wife. He enjoyed dressing like O.J. Simpson's Judge Lance Ito and won a Halloween costume contest. Those who were invited to Gwan's home for dinner found he prepared five times the amount of food needed. Returning to that Indonesian patriotic song which I attempted to sing in the beginning, the closing line is "sampai akhir menutup mata," meaning "until I close my eyes." Last Friday at the hospital I had occasion to touch Gwan's head while he was still warm, his eyes were closed for the last time in mortality, and I said Selamat Jalan Gunawan. Goodbye. At last Gwan is home, home with our Heavenly Father...closer perhaps to his earthly parents than he has been in years. Brigham Young has taught that our spirit is allowed to stay around our mortal body until the physical body is buried, so I know Gwan is with us here today and he appreciates all you have done for him. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. |
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| David Brewer | Send Email |
