Claude O'Brien (1894-1969) AIS Region 4

Claude C. Obrien, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

The year was 1958 and we were attending our very first American Iris Society convention in Oklahoma City. Wall flowers that we were, Mrs. Browder and I stood alone in the hotel lobby when I was approached with, "So you're Earl Browder! Well, I'm Claude O'Brien, the new RVP of Region 4. We need a lot of work in our region and I want you to help me. Will you?" He explained some of the time and work and expense involved. When I asked why I should do so much and give so much his face grew soft with earnestness and his voice gentle with the strength of great conviction and he answered-"We do these things because we ought to do them, because our fellow man needs to know the peace of garden paths. How else can we give and share such beauty? Is it not more blessed to give than receive? In the final analysis, can we say that we are not our brother's keeper? Will the measure of our service to mankind be measured by what we get or by what we give?-"

This was the Claude C. O'Brien I was to be closely associated with for the next eleven and a half years. Thousands knew him. In all of Region 4 he was "Mr. Iris". His personality was not that of a strutting leader but we followed him. We followed because of the love he kindled within us for our cause. Problems? Of course we had problems. And he quietly and gently led us peaceably through them and there was no hurt. Under Claude O'Brien, Region 4 was completely organized. Because "it isn't what we get but what we share" was a way of life, he and his beloved Eastern North Carolina Chapter held auctions and gave the total prooeeds to the Region-and our NEWSCAST was born. Because of the deep feeling within him that his Region should know good irises better, he insisted on a Judges Training Program, and together with John Wilson he held the very first Judges Training Program in all of irisdom. And ninety-six of our members studied it.

When his tour of duty as RVP was over he was made a member of the national Board of Directors and later became the national Membership Chairman. In 1965 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of the American Iris Society-the highest recognition it has to offer. I could write on and on. But it is pointless that I do, for each day that he lived his life, that day spoke more eloquently of him than any words of mine can ever speak.

Claude O'Brien was a devout Christian and a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church near his home. We hope to visit Mrs. O'Brien soon and go with her to stand beside his grave, for it was not to be that we could attend his funeral services. Claude O'Brien departed this life December 21, 1969. So we have to say "Goodnight" here. But we who knew and loved him can yet see the twinkle in his quiet eyes and know that just beyond, his lips are parting to greet us with a happy "Good Morning." -Earl T. Browder [AIS Bulletin #197, April 1970, p.102]

-- Main.RPries - 2012-05-18