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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2018)
6A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 Twidwell: ‘I’ve had a good life; it’s been a hard life’ Continued from Page 1A the engine and fire rooms of seven vessels ported in New York, California and Washing- ton between 1954 and 1973. During that time, Twidwell was exposed to asbestos dust released from the manipula- tion of gaskets. After a three- week trial last month, a New York jury retired for just two hours before awarding him $40.1 million in compensatory damages. For a young person in the prime of health, that fortune could buy a lifestyle of world travel, luxury boats and fast cars. But Twidwell doesn’t move fast or far these days. Two quarts of fluid has been drained from his lungs. Attached to a industri- al-sized oxygen tank by a thin green tube that snakes 20 feet or more across his wooden floor, he is home. Preparing for the end. And the New York bar asso- ciation website reports that the defendant, Goodyear, is filing an appeal. Dangers Mesothelioma has a latency period of 10 to 50 years. Last year, the Brooklyn resi- dent experienced shortness of breath and a cough. Doctors made the diagnosis after an X-ray revealed a mass in his right lung. In the 17 months since, he has deteriorated. “More and more and more, I’m having to rely on people to help me and that’s what hurts,” he told law- yers during his trial testimony. The dangers of asbestos have been known since the early 1900s. Lawyers argued that the manufacturer, Good- year, knew of the hazards as early as 1939, but never warned anyone. Twidwell testified for 14 hours over two consecutive days, beginning each session with a prayer for strength. He credits his discipline memo- rizing Freemasons’ rituals in assisting his recall of details from decades past. An oppos- ing lawyer, seeking to cast doubts on his memory, asked him to recite a Bible verse; the regular attendee at North River Christian Church was word perfect. “While no amount of money will give Walter back his health, this result is fair compensation for his loss of his self-reliance and dignity,” said his attorney James Kramer, announcing the verdict. Mike Carmel of Long Beach, past master of the Ilwaco lodge, flew to the East Coast to testify on Twidwell’s behalf. His admiration for his buddy is evident. “He shoots his own food, catches his fish, grows his veg- etables and cuts wood,” Car- mel said. “He is like a home- steader, but with some modern advantages — although he built his house with hammer and saw and no electric tools.” ‘Hands-on chief’ Twidwell was born in 1937, the son of a logger. He remem- bers logging camps packed with 500 men; now his North River Valley is home to barely 60 residents. An early memory was his grandfather’s angry disbelief announcing the Pearl Harbor attack when Twidwell was four. The oldest of four brothers (a sister died), Twidwell had a tough childhood. “Dad was proud of the kids, but when he disciplined you … you knew your ass had been kicked.” Eager not to become a logger, the teenager joined the Navy in 1954 just as the Korean conflict was winding down, serving on an aircraft carrier, Franklin D Roosevelt (CVA-42), and two destroyers, the Gurke (DD-783) and Zel- lars (DD-777). “I was not afraid to get dirty, even as a chief petty officer,” he said. “I put my ‘grubbies’ on. I was a hands-on chief.” For nine years he sailed back and forth to Vietnam, serving seven years on the East Coast. Highlights included a brief stop in Plymouth, England, and a 1958 visit to Odessa in the Soviet Union. “You would go ashore, four or five together on the buddy system,” he recalled. “Peo- ple would invite you into their homes for dinner — they were bitching about their govern- ment the same way we were about ours.” In the 1970s, antiwar pro- testers did not differentiate between opposition to Amer- ican foreign policy and those who served in uniform. “Didn’t like getting spit upon,” Twid- well said, recalling it happened at least twice. “You spit on me, the fight’s on!” One regret When Chief Petty Offi- cer Twidwell retired in 1973, he sought jobs at steam plants touting his Navy training, only to be rejected as too expensive to hire. His fall-back job was inevitable. “I joined Navy at 17 because I didn’t want to be a logger,” he shrugged. “I ended up doing it when I got out. I love the woods, but I didn’t want to rely on it as it’s seasonal.” He married twice and had five children, losing one daughter some while ago. He spent years of his adult life in Poulsbo, before returning home alone. For two years, he lived in a camper on his 110 acres. “When I came in here there was nothing but brush. I had to start from scratch,” he said, gesturing around his house where ornate baskets of onions hang from the ceiling, jet-black iron skillets fill an orderly line of nails and a Winchester rifle lays across the bed. There is no electricity, though he installed solar pan- els before it was fashionable. Water comes from a nearby spring and his stove is fueled by propane and wood; until recently, he split every log. Outside, his 6-year-old Dachs- hund, Hiram, greets visitors with a yap. “It’s pretty simple, but it’s cozy,” said Twidwell, who Photos by Patrick Webb/Chinook Observer Walt Twidwell lives in rural Pacific County in a rustic home he built from scavenged lumber using a hand saw. but I soon figured it out.” It is his eighth year wearing the master’s hat. He has led his “mother lodge,” Aberdeen 52, twice, served an unprec- edented three consecutive years at the helm in Ilwaco, and twice led Gavel 48 in Raymond, a lodge that joined forces with Ilwaco in 2016 after its membership dwin- dled. He is a member of the Shriners, plus six other groups with Masonic connections. Twidwell’s recent assign- ment was helping North River Road neighbor Jim Banas, longtime secretary of the old Raymond lodge, coordi- nate Bikes for Books at North County schools. The program encourages elementary stu- dents to read widely. “It’s for the grin on the kids’ faces,” Twidwell commented ‘I DON’T WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR THE DEEDS DONE. I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR THE MAN HIMSELF, THE MAN THAT I AM.’ Walt Twidwell | octogenarian who lives in rural Pacific County Washington in a rustic home he built from scavenged lumber regrets his children never embraced his lifestyle. “I wish I could have passed on this ‘pioneer way’ to my kids. I taught them to dig clams, they liked that. But things like splitting cedar planks, they didn’t want any part of it. It bothered me.” ‘Encyclopedic’ Twidwell joined the Free- masons at age 48; his ritual work is conducted in a grav- elly, soft-spoken style. Just before Christmas, he was installed as master of Wynooche 43, a tiny lodge in Montesano 27 miles from his home. Two of the most senior members from the Washington Grand Lodge attended. He pre- sented multiple fruit pies to his guests, a trademark gift. “I like cooking,” said Twid- well, who shoots his own ven- ison and catches fish in a creek out back. “I got tired of asking the neighbor lady to make me a pie. I used to take her apples, on the rewards. “It gives them a challenge in life — ‘If I read all those books, I get a bicycle.’ It’s just a good warm feeling.” He taught Banas how to operate a chainsaw and hunt for mushrooms, and gave him guided tours of logging roads when the western Pennsylva- nia native became his neighbor in 1994. “He could point out where certain buildings were once located, when they maybe burned down, were abandoned, or torn down,” Banas said. “When it comes to Masonry, Walt is encyclo- pedic in his knowledge of the fraternity. He was most often the ‘go-to guy’ when a brother passed away and we needed a Masonic funeral service,” said Banas, who frequently assisted as Twidwell’s Bible bearer. Spotless While many fraternities perform similar community work, Freemasons believe what sets them apart is their ancient rituals, which allude to ancient guild stonemasons who built the Gothic cathedrals of Europe. The three degrees con- tain lessons that take symbols from architecture designed to help “good men become bet- ter,” building character on solid moral foundations, being forthright, honest and equal — “on the level.” Twidwell has performed just about all of the ritu- als, and his patriotism is evi- dent in his rigid flag salute. “I wouldn’t want to live anyplace else,” said the well-traveled sailor. “We have got our prob- lems, but we have still got our freedoms.” In recent years he has become especially keen to give the “apron lecture,” a recitation that explains to a newly initi- ated brother why a white lamb- skin apron is considered “an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason.” Many lodge members are buried with theirs. The ritual states: “Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of a purity of life and rectitude of conduct, a never-ending inspiration for nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for greater achievements; and when at last your weary feet shall come to the end of life’s toilsome jour- ney, may the record of your life and actions be as pure and spotless as this fair emblem.” As master of Wynooche 43, Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, Walt Twidwell is the only member allowed to wear a hat in the lodge room in Montesano. Judgment Now the old sailor is about to voyage to that “undiscov- ered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.” Twidwell’s strong faith in an afterlife makes him unafraid. In refusing chemo- therapy, he has gambled that his final days would be more endurable. “Your body will tell you,” he said, recalling a frank- talking appointment with doc- tors. “I want to go easy. I don’t want to go hurting. We all gotta go! “I’ve had a good life; it’s been a hard life. When He calls me, I will not fight it. I will go … I have no choice.” The apron ritual concludes, “And when your soul shall appear before that Great White Throne, there to receive judg- ment for the deeds done while here on Earth, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sitteth as the Judge Supreme, ‘Well done, good and faithful Discovering and opening a time capsule from 1956 inside the old Raymond Masonic lodge when the building was sold after the 2016 merger with Occident 48 in Ilwaco was a highlight of Twidwell’s recent Freemason activities. servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’” Twidwell has had four score years to imagine that moment. “Your body is going to be gone, but your soul will be there,” he said. “You will be judged on your deeds, but really you will be judged by the things in your heart. You are forgiven for everything, but how much love is in your heart and for whom?” When the time comes, DOING WELL WHILE DOING GOOD Great news! Charitable gift annuity payment rates have increased for the first time in many years. A charitable gift annuity with the OHSU Foundation or the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation is a wonderful way to make a gift while receiving income for life. To learn more, contact the OHSU Foundation at 503-228-1730 or email OHSUFinfo@ohsu.edu. Twidwell’s funeral will be standing-room-only. Like- minded men will help fasten each other’s Masonic aprons, then don the traditional white gloves of mourning. A lodge brother will recite that ancient graveyard oration that Twid- well has done countless times. “I don’t want to be remem- bered for the deeds done,” he reflected. “I want to be remem- bered for the man himself, the man that I am.” Gift Annuity Rate Comparison Age Old Rate New Rate Increase 70 5.1% 5.6% 0.5% 75 5.8% 6.2% 0.4% 80 6.8% 7.3% 0.5% 85 7.8% 8.3% 0.5% 90+ 9.0% 9.5% 0.5% For illustrative purposes only. Please contact us for current benefits and rates for other ages.
