The news on Monday evening, February 18th was shocking: Peter Norda had been transported to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls after a skiing accident. Peter had been working on the Pebble Creek Ski Patrol that afternoon. The snippets of news in the intervening days were occasionally good but mostly cause for concern. His wife Judy was at his side when he died yesterday afternoon.

Peter and I had only a couple of things, but important things, in common. He was a successful small business owner … I have worked for other people my entire career, up to now. He loved the outdoors, skiing in particular … I can count on the fingers of one hand how often I’ve actually been at a ski resort and no fingers are required to count how often I’ve been on skis. In spite of that we became good Church friends as he also loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was an active, involved member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He loved to teach, as I do. For a while I would teach on the 2nd Sunday and he would teach on the 3rd Sunday. Then he was called as an Assistant to the High Priest Group Leader and would teach on the first Sunday of the month, once a quarter. He told me on a couple of occasions that he really missed the opportunity to regularly teach the gospel. I knew I could always count on Peter to substitute when I was out of town on my assigned day to teach. We would talk about gospel topics, how best to present them, the opportunities for discussion, and how to get to desired outcomes. When he taught he was always well prepared and would lead a thoughtful, change-provoking discussion.

Peter, while I know you’ve gone on to other important things, I shall miss you. I’ll miss meeting with you about my home teaching. I’ll miss your lessons. I’ll miss your enthusiastic and welcoming handshake. I’ll miss your characteristic “Good morning, brethren!” when you conducted our priesthood group meetings. You’re now on my list of people to be sure to look up in heaven. ‘Til we meet again!