Part 1 of 2: I am posting the following in two parts on behalf of my grandpa, Al Kaeppel, who was good friends with Sara over the last seven years. We both loved her very much. He asked that I add his email address in case someone might want to contact him: [email protected].
"Sara was meeting with her banker and friend Sharon. I came to the bank where Sharon invited me into her office and introduced me to Sara. Subsequently, Sharon advised me that Sara was a special lady and that I should follow up. I did and we had our first date in early January 2013. Our friendship lasted for six years.
Sara had fine style and taste. This included her stunning appearance whatever the occasion; her homes; and her yards, where she used her skills as a master gardener to obtain her desired lovely results. All greatly admired by me.
We had one or more restaurant suppers every week, and found places we both liked - and disliked. Several times a year Sara would prepare a cooked and baked supper for us. As in everything she put her hand to she was both skilled and imaginative. What a treat for a single man who was incapable of cooking.
We would scan movie reviews and go to a movie only when we were sure both of us would enjoy it. We would go in the late afternoon and then get a nice supper afterward.
Twice Sara took us to Branson during the fall color. We admired the bright, multicolored trees while traveling and also surrounding Branson. We saw a couple of shows of different types to our enjoyment. And we ate reasonably decent food.
Sara took us to a resort near Charlottesville, Virginia - a gorgeous part of the country. We toured the James Madison home and slave plantation. We drove a nice distance on the Blue Ridge Parkway where we looked down and out on the beautiful, spectacular surroundings. She graciously allowed us to visit Roanoke, the home of an historic railroad museum of interest to me.
She moved to a new home in Springdale which was quite drab. She, who was so wonderfully independent, permitted me to assist her in moving things. For me that was a privilege. I also repaired, improved and added things that were more in my line than hers.
Then she fixed up the interior with furnishings and decoration that transformed it into a tasteful, fine looking, comfortable home. She put her skills and energy and ideas to work in the yard and gardens with outstanding results. This was a process that continued for the rest of her days.
I became a member of the new Crystal Bridges Art Museum. We went together to all of their specially collected exhibits. Each we found to be of astonishing scope. They ranged from Norman Rockwell to Chihuli. We often spoke of the most remarkable one of all: the chief executive and the curator combed the whole country for local artists of every type and put on a collection of about one hundred. We both thought it was stunningly eye-opening.
Sara and I attended every performance of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. We both thought that we were most fortunate to have such an outstanding musical ensemble available for our pleasure. We went to a number of special concerts, ranging from the traditional Lincoln Center Jazz Band headed by Wynton Marsalis to the rock musician Joe Bonamassa who plays the guitar at a seemingly impossible level.
On a more mundane level we watched many, many episodes of Jeopardy. We each sipped a glass of wine while we participated in and commented upon the show. Typically, we were together for about an hour indulging in interesting conversation."
