Gary Cowen -- RSQUBF Discussion Boards 2001 highlights

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Date Posted: 17:30:39 01/09/02 Wed
Author: multiple
Subject: Gary Cowen
In reply to: rsqarchive 's message, "January 2001" on 10:32:30 01/09/02 Wed

Author: Ronq
Subject: Gary Cowen

Can somebody repost the story of Gary I missed the early posting
or can somebody write down what happen to him. Is he alive?

Thanks
Ronq

Author: Mary Kim
Subject: Re: Gary Cowen

Gary Cowen died of brain cancer in the spring of 1997(?). Perhaps 1996, I don't remember the year. There was a lovely funeral and Samuel Lee directed every fellowship leader and PhD/MD to donate a fairly large sum of money to the widow ($500, or $250, perhaps).

What I do remember is that when Gary first started having symptoms of the brain tumor (headaches, dizziness, loss of equilibrium, difficulty walking, etc.), Samuel Lee proclaimed that Gary was just "faking" to get attention. His symptoms became worse, but everyone just ignored him. I remember once he collapsed during the break time of a Friday leaders meeting. Another time, just before a Sunday worship service, I met Gary at the bottom of the stairs leading to the sanctuary. He was stumbling and could not climb the stairs. I should have helped him, but, to my shame, I did not. Instead, I told Jacob Lee, who was greeting people at the door, that Gary was having trouble at the bottom of the stairs. He looked down, and then said to ignore
him because he was just pretending.

I did not witness this myself, but heard from more than one source that Gary was made to sit in the Chicago center with his feet in ice water to "drive out the demons." I also heard from my husband, Jacob Kim, that one of the UBF doctors "examined" Gary and said that he was faking his symptoms.

Eventually, Gary became so ill that he could not leave his bed. He was hospitalized and that's when the cancer was discovered. Jacob, who was a fellowship leader at the time, told me this ugly story: When Gary's cancer was diagnosed and it was learned that he would need chemotherapy, Samuel Lee announced to a fellowship leaders meeting one Friday evening that Gary Cowen had cancer and would now become bald, "like an octopus." Many people laughed. Jacob told me he was heartsick about this. This was just one of hundreds of disturbing episodes we witnessed from the time we returned to Chicago UBF in March 1989 until we left in October 1997 (and until this day, in
fact).

Gary's cancer went into remission after therapy, but returned a couple of years later. He showed great courage and faith in the face of his illness. I heard that he was sharing the gospel with other patients in the hospital just before he died. I always thought he was a good Christian man, and I respected him. He had a very nice family, too.

Author: watcher
Subject: Re: Gary Cowen

I was on the 3rd floor of the Center running an errand when I saw Gary crouching on the floor. He was rocking back and forth rapidly clutching his head because his headaches were unbearable, and no amount of pain killer could alleviate the pain. He was telling either Jackie Lee or Maria Ahn how much pain he was in. They seemed to sympathize with him, but everyone else sort of shrugged their shoulders because they either thought he was faking it or they weren't allowed to help him. I also did nothing though I couldn't believe he would fake such a condition. Another time, during a Friday intermission, Gary dropped a pen. Watching him try to pick it up off the floor was too painful to watch; the cancer was drastically affecting his motor skills. It was so obvious what he was trying to do, but everyone seemed to ignore him. No one, including me, picked up the pen for him. He forgave all of us, including the one who caused and prolonged his suffering. To this day, Lee admits no responsibility, just as
he
admits no responsibility in the case of Samuel Choi, Jr. and others.

Author: Gladys Hoffman
Subject: Re: Gary Cowen

Gary's wedding day was together with mine 1987. I left in Mar. of 96 he died a few months later. I was very sorry. SL was so mean to him. Is his wife still there. He had three children.

Author: Ashamed of my self Sinner
Subject: Re: Gary Cowen

I saw with my own eyes what Garry went through. I was in the process of becoming the great hypocrate Christian of UBF. One day Samuel Lee the idiot sent many peolpe to go and get Gary from Home. All of us( I was one of them)went to his home and picked up Gary. Becuase I belived he was faking it. We brought him to center. And samuel lee the idiot had a chair and bucket of ice. Gary sat on the chair with his feet in the ice. It was in winter. I only wanted to please samuel lee the idiot. It did not matter, how low has to go. I am sorry Mary Cowen that I participated in humilating a innocent man. I hope God may forgive me.
Ashamed sinner

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Replies:

A CIS UBF director on ReformUBF -- Europa, 17:31:55 01/09/02 Wed