I saw a TV show the other day that I am sure dad would have enjoyed. On the Discovery Channel they have a show called “Pitchmen.” This is about the world of direct TV sales for interesting and unique products (Info-commercials). Dad always did enjoy his late night $19.99 purchases. We have many items around the houses that are a “must have” and many of them were a surprise at how useful they actually turned out. Then again, there were a few duds! I have purchased a few items in spirit of dad and the most useful one yet is the grab-it screw extractor.

      Time keeps on moving and it seems that in many aspects the year is becoming more difficult. I thought 2009 would be the start of positive change, but now I am looking to 2010. I am in full swing with the doctorate program and after my residency last week I am rethinking my dissertation topic. Today I drove dad’s charger to work and like normal, was stopped by 2 people who appreciate the 60’s muscle car. I always tell them it is my dads and one said I was lucky that he lets me drive it. Too bad dad is not around to put gas in it, as it is very thirsty for premium gas!

Attached is a picture from December of 1994 that mom took. It has the car, us kids, and Dad.

Till then,

~Jason

                 Dad is always on my mind!!! I am out of the school for the summer!!! I wish Dad was here to see me studying to get my teaching license to teach English grades 5 to 8. In grade school, English was my worst subject and now it is my best and most favorite subject. I missed Dad greatly on Father’s Day and had Dunkin’ Donut holes in thought of him. Love, Amanda

The picture of Sam, the kids, and the Charger brought back multitudes of memories! The Charger was my mom’s before we acquired it in the late 70’s for $600! Sam drove that car to the different hospitals that he worked in while we were Baltimore. It was parked out on the street (we did not have a garage) and if only it could talk! A couple was arrested fighting on the hood-they took out the antenna, the windshield sustained a bullet hole and the same bullet took out the headliner-a man shooting at his girlfriend’s ex, it had a polka-dot paint job after a man decided to paint the front of his rowhouse white and used a roller, and finally my yearly tire changing-when Sam would accidently run over a “Thunderbird” bottle while coming back to Hopkins to park—–AAA would not come and change it, they said the area was too dangerous!!!!! When we moved to Cleveland the Charger was only driven in good weather and parked when it started to snow. In 1993 on our move to Houston we dropped the Charger off in St. Joseph, Missouri to get some restoration done on it. My parents delivered the car to us 1994 with a new paint job! The doctors at Anderson hinted that Sam was paid enough to get a “new” car, but that was his baby and he would never think of parting with it—even though it did not have air conditioning! The Charger is pictured with each of our kids when they attended their proms, Amanda and Brendan left their wedding and drove to the reception in this very special car. Jason has worked on it over the years and a few years ago took on the job of a complete restoration. Sam quit driving the Charger to work everyday when he purchased his Victory motorcycle, but it thrilled him to take it to medical dinners in Houston because of all the attention it got, now his car was placed in front of a business and valet’s were excited to get a chance to park it!!!
I always enjoy opening my garage and to see the Charger there, that car holds decades of wonderful memories of my life with Sam and my mom. ~Rhonda

Four years ago this month the brain tumor was discovered and fifteen months ago Dad went to heaven. I miss Dad very much. I wish that Dad could have seen where Brendan and I live in Pittsfield, MA! Brendan and I love our house, we have been in it for 6 months this week. We have installed three ceiling fans, removed wallpaper from two rooms, put in a new sink faucet, and altered some of the landscaping on the property. There are many memories of Dad around our house: from the truck in the garage that Dad and I drove off the Dodge sales’ lot together to all the pandas in the panda room, each having their own story–most stories involving Dad.

Love, Amanda

1 year 3 months

The past few months have been filled with some extreme happenings, but there is always light at the end. Without Dad’s direction, some loose ends have come to light which puts pressure on all family members. I miss Dad’s advice and fatherly abilities. I think about him all the time and I use his motivation and courage to help me thought-out the days. He went down a long road of life with many challenges. He overcame these to bring himself to the respected man that he was. He then ventured through the cancer with hope and courage, showing just how strong he was. He never gave up hope and this is a lesson that I cherish from him.

~Jason

Thirty-seven years ago today Rhonda Suzanne Warner and Samuel J. Hassenbusch III (Hoppy) were married at 7pm at Ashland Avenue Methodist Church in St. Joseph, MO.

The words of Hoppy written on April 28, 1971:

Early this school year, I met a special female that has since changed my whole life pattern. This one woman has caused me to ask and to ponder such serious questions as what exactly is the small word that causes so many hearts to flutter like kites: love.

From Amanda:

It is a gorgeous day here in Massachusetts and I could just see Dad out on his motorcycle. He would be out on the country winding roads. Today, Mother, Brendan and I are going to go play a round a mini golf in memory of Dad. At the 18^th whole, you have the choice to go for the Yankees’ hole or the Red Sox hole!!!! I know Dad would go for the Yankees’ hole, but Brendan prefers the Red Sox hole.

From Rhonda:

I am visiting with Amanda and Brendan this week. It has finally stopped snowing-at least while I am here!!!! Yesterday I did my first hike on the Appalachian Trail. Sam had always dreamed of finishing the whole trail (2175 miles) that he had started in the early 1990’s. I will not be able to fulfill this dream of his, but being able to go on just a small part of it gave me the sense of why he wanted to walk that many miles! I would like to say that the time since Sam’s passing is easier, at times it is, but I still catch myself waiting for his phone call or looking for him at the airport when I have traveled. I do enjoy talking to friends and family about him. The month of May will be busy with a trip to San Diego for Jason, Jack, and I to accept an award in Sam’s name from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Ridin’ for the Rose (motorcycle ride to raise funds for Brain tumor research), and the Together in Hope, an M D Anderson brain tumor conference. Please keep myself and my family in your prayers because we are still trying to move forward with our lives.

From Jason:

I am down here in San Juan, Puerto Rico this weekend. I can remember just a few years ago I meet Mom and Dad here for a meeting they were attending. It was a random outing and I planned to arrive just a few days before. I remember the medical meeting and gambling with Dad at the hotel Casino. This was a bit before there were any thoughts of our impending direct relationship with Cancer. It is these memories that I can cherish.

On a good note, after a long effort I have “finished” the electric car and I am able to drive it to work. This was a little project that I had started over a year ago and finally can now see the results. With the help of Jay at Excel Automotive, the car is something that is of interest. It is a plug-in electric car that runs on batteries. Basically we swapped the engine in a 1959 Austin Healey for an electric motor. With earth day last week, it just a small step forward. This car is in stark contrast to Dad’s 1968 Dodge Charger which has a MPG of around 7 on a good day!

The family has been keeping very busy. Rhonda and Amanda traveled to New York City for an award given in Sam’s honor by WIP.

See the program: wipp-flyer-3-16-2009-hassenbusch-prize1

Rhonda also traveled to the TANS meeting in Austin, Texas to be at the Hassenbusch Lecture.

Rhonda has kept busy traveling. Jason is busy with his doctorate program. Brendan and Amanda are glad the snow is finally gone in New England. Jack and Shannon are spending time with Breena and Kayla. This weekend is the Run for the Rose. Father always took great pride in helping with this event and it is great to see the number of people willing to help raise money for brain tumors.

Did you know that Sam’s favorite Psalm from of the Bible was Psalms 91?

~Amanda

Although the past year plus has flown by, Dad is always on my mind. It has been hard not having him around while I started back to the doctorate program, as his wisdom and advice helped to make light of even the hardest assignment. It was also his mentoring to strive for the best which is encouragement that I miss daily. He is still my role model; although I will never achieve a double doctorate I am striving for one!

On the way to work today I was thinking about how Dad rode the motorcycle everyday, rain or shine. Today is a rainy day and I will admit I like the comforts of the car; abet not arriving to work and having the ring-out my clothes (I know this from experience)! On some levels I should ride the motorcycle as it is a way to help clear my mind before the intense day ahead. I believe the quote goes: “Four wheels move the body, Two wheels move the soul” (Unknown author).

~Jason

A little more than 40 years ago I met “Hoppy” Hassenbusch. I was introduced to him after he gave the FLOWER TALK during an open DeMolay meeting. He had this 15 minute talk memorized and spoke with such heart. Little did I know that this handsome, poised young man was only 15 years old! I went home with my date for the evening, but that started a friendship. After I began my freshman year in college and he began his senior year of high school, we started dating. It didn’t take long before friendship turned into love and love turned into something that we wanted to share for a lifetime. Hoppy graduated from high school as the valedictorian of his class and with a fiancé in the audience. We were married during the summer between his freshman and sophomore year at Johns Hopkins. A week before the wedding the minister that was to marry us called and said that our marriage would not last and he would not perform the ceremony. We were able to locate another minister and have his dad go with us to the court house to get our marriage license to sign for him (he was 18 at the time and Missouri required parental consent for males 18 and under! I was legal at 19!) We were married in a small family service, had a reception at my parent’s home, a 3-day honeymoon in Kansas City, then loaded up and moved to Baltimore, Maryland.
Our stay in Baltimore lasted 18 years! These years included undergrad, medical school, internship, general surgery residency, a Ph.D, neurosurgery residency, and three children. I worked outside the home until Jack arrived in 1978. We wanted a stable home for our kids because of the hours that Hoppy worked, so I became a “professional mom”. Life was not easy, but it was SO good! When all of his work at Johns Hopkins was done he held the record for the longest residency (and still holds that record). The memories of our many years at Hopkins bring a smile to my heart.

The next stop was the Cleveland Clinic. This is where Sam started his career and our travels around the world. We spent 5 wonderful, snowy years in Cleveland.

Our final move was in the summer of 1993 to Houston. We came from Ohio with snow tires on the van and learned very soon that snow DID NOT occur in this part of Texas! UT MD Anderson Cancer Center opened their doors to us. This small neurosurgery department was to grow and grow. I never thought that we would ever end up using the services at Anderson, but our family was blessed that Sam was able to receive all of his treatments for GBM from his wonderful colleagues and friends. During his 14 ½ years working at Anderson, Sam was able to get his professorship and work on different committees dealing with hospital finance. He was able to take the kids and I along on his travels around the world. It wasn’t until his diagnosis that we were told what an impact he had on the medical community, he never wanted to be more than a GOOD neurosurgeon.

On May 10, 2005 our lives changed forever with the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Sam took on the fight for his life and he did it with such dignity, grace, and faith. He wanted his life to count and leave a legacy for us left here to carry on. He spent time giving other patients his knowledge about being a doctor and a patient. Our miracle did occur—he survived 33 months from the day of his surgery.

Today marks the one year anniversary. I need to let our children know that I thank them from the bottom of my heart for ALL they did for their father and I. Jason gave me the gift of the book his father wrote and he finished. I thank Jason, Amanda, Jack, Brendan, and Shannon for ALL they have done to make sure that I survived this first year. I could not have done it without them! It has been a difficult year with lots of changes for all of us. Sam’s memory and the wonderful life that we had together will always reflect back to me in our children. One day we will be together again and he can fulfill the promise he made on our wedding day of 50 years together.

I still miss you………….Love, Rhonda

In honor of Dad, Brendan and I went to McDonalds for lunch today. I had a big mac–Dad’s favorite. The ribbon you see in the picture, is a pin that Jason had made in memory of Dad. I think it will be a yearly tradition to have McDonalds on February 6th!!! “Any Thoughts?” (That is Dad always ended his emails.) Amanda

It is hard to believe that it has been 11 months at this moment. It was at this time last year that Dad was making his final battle against the dismay of cancer. This time last year was especially hard on the family living here in Houston, as the days turned into 24 hours care. This adds to the impact of the current time as the memories are still real. It is never easy watching someone, more than ever a loved one, struggle for their life.

On a good note, the book has been produced and thus is a living word of Dad. This book is culmination of work that spans a considerable amount of time. Please let me know if you would like a copy. It can also be purchased on amazon.com. All proceeds go to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Amanda and Brendan seem to be settling into their new home. Jack and Shannon are doing well and enjoying the weather in Colorado. I am in Houston preparing to start back to school for completion of a doctorate degree. Mom is here in Houston and will soon be heading to visit her grandchildren.

Peanut recently had to go to the doggie hospital to have a small bump removed. He is doing well and using this for sympathy. Stetson is going strong and does not seem to be outgrowing his puppy-hood.

~Jason

________________

We all miss Dad deeply, but know that he is always looking down upon us. Every morning when I head down our stairs to begin my day, I see Dad and know that he will be with me in all I do. Dad’s birthday is coming up on February 6th and it will not be an easy day, but the family will be there for each other. No matter how many miles apart we are as a family, we are only a phone call away. I would not be the person I am today, if not for the amazing upbringing that Dad and Mom provided me. Thanks for all of your support and prayers. ~ Amanda

Mom and Jason are spending Christmas in India. They are 10.5 hours later, therefore they are going to sleep when Brendan & I are getting up.

Jack, Shannon, & the girls are in Colorado enjoying all their new fun toys. Breena will even be learning to ski this year!

Amanda & Brendan have been in Longmeadow, MA and Killington, VT spending time with Brendan’s family. We celebrated Brendan’s birthday (12/26) skiing at Killington (the best skiing in the eastern part of the country)! We even had German Chocolate Cake in Memory of father.

Jason and Rhonda will be back in the United States this weekend to share about their trip.

Father and Grandmother are up in Heaven and I know they were in all of our thoughts this whole season, but missed dearly. Each of our houses has an inflatable christmas decoration outside in memory of father.

It is hard to believe it has been 10 months since father’s transition. With father’s book out, it is nice to read it and feel like father is speaking in person.

We miss you dearly father. Love, Your children

Riders for the Cure, the official employee motorcycle riders’ group, recently presented $12,000 to the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson.

Motorcycle group members handed over the check to Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D., division head for Pediatrics, during a Dec. 4 ceremony in Kim’s Place. The funds, which were raised by this year’s Sam’s Jam motorcycle ride, will be directed toward research to lessen the side effects of cancer treatments in children.

Patrick Browning, J.D., clinical business manager in the Cancer Prevention Center (and Riders for the Cure president), Jason Hassenbusch, PRS Administrative Services, Linda Dunker, office manager, Stem Cell Transplantation (and Riders for the Cure vice-president) and other riders from the nonprofit group also were at the presentation.

The ride, which was Oct. 18, is named in memory of Samuel Hassenbusch, M.D., Ph.D., who was a professor in Neurosurgery and medical director of the Physicians Referral Service here and an avid motorcycle rider and enthusiast. More than 130 bikes carrying 200 participants rode from the Houston Main Building to West of the Brazos in Damon, TX.