The “Community Shepherd”

I first met Bill Hearne in the spring of 1985 when a Kodak friend (Charlie Cornwell) and I went to Bushnell’s Basin for our first Saturday Oven Door Run. We were welcomed and befriended by Bill and the group. I can’t recall how far we ran that day (shorter than the planned route) but what I do remember is that Bill was the shepherd of the group. As we ran and the group broke into small pods of runners, Bill would circle from the front and middle of the group to Charlie and I (in the back) to keep us company and chat, make sure we were doing ok and having fun. Charlie and I enjoyed our morning run so much, that when we returned to the Basin, we purchased a few bunches of flowers at a little flower shop (that is where Bruegger’s Bagels now sits) and put a daisy on the windshield of each runner’s car as a little thank you for a great morning. After just one run, we felt we were a part of the group. For many runs and years to come, Bill was (and is) the shepherd of the group -- welcoming and checking in on new runners, sharing stories and laughs, keeping people company and smiling.

My next memory of Bill was soon after, when another friend brought me up to the Adirondack Mountains for a summer climb. Bill was at the Trail’s End with a group of hiking friends and he encouraged us to join the summer and winter hiking trips. Again, Bill was the shepherd of the group. As we started our hikes and broke into small groups hiking at various paces, Bill would from time to time, pull the group together, check to be sure everyone was ok, had water, snacks, blister protection, share a smile and a story, point out the next breath-taking view along the trail or take a picture of the group for future memories and stories. Along the way, he led by example in picking up small bits of garbage and debris on the trail, living the belief that you should leave the world better than how you found it. Bill certainly did this.

Bill encouraged all of us to get involved, whether it be a fun run, a local race, or community event. To volunteer, to participate, to give more of ourselves. He saw the best in each of us and brought out the best in each of us. He encouraged us to believe that whatever goal we had, whatever dream we had in our hearts, we could surely achieve it. He encouraged people of all abilities, to run, to walk, or to come out and sip coffee and chat with the group.
When I think back on one of the infamous Hearne expeditions in the Adirondacks, as the ‘described’ eight-hour hike turned into an 11-hour hike and darkness was quickly approaching, I am reminded of the phrase "Nobody said life would be easy; they just said that it would be worth it."

Among all the other gifts Bill has given all of us over the years by being the person that he is, I believe that I ultimately met my husband Dave through the activities of running, hiking, snow shoeing, x-country skiing, etc., that Bill encouraged me to become involved in. For this and so many other reasons, I am eternally grateful.

Bill, friend and shepherd, may God "raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand" as you keep watch over all of us.

Debbie (Howell) Fenton