The Provider
57 Comments Paul stayed at Vegetarian Times for a time to help the new owner take over. He bought a Frank Lloyd Wright House on Forest Avenue in Oak Park and loved to sit on his front porch and watch people look at it. His sons would often build a lemonade stand for the visitors and made a good deal of money according to the guys. The house was on a 3/4 acre parcel and Paul still cut his own grass!
He then became a stay at home Dad for his 6 sons. He packed lunches, built tree houses and a bedroom in the attic, ran carpool, was on his sons school boards, coached baseball teams, Indian Guide Leader, Friday night Pizza and game night with the guys, took the guys on fabulous trips to Thailand, New York, Disneyland, Vancouver, etc. Paul was crazy about his sons and loved being their dad – he was a very fun dad.
Paul became a volunteer in the community and was on many community boards that helped Oak Park be an even better place. He volunteered his time, love and his money. He was very giving and generous. He gave with his heart, soul, and with meaning. It wasn’t just through a check – but could be taking a homeless woman with children shopping to the grocery and clothing store.
He would continue to take care of his mother and his aunt Hilda.
He tried to start the a few other alternative magazines but it was just not the time as he really took on the stay at home Dad routines – the guys were getting older and they needed him more.
In 2002, Mariclare filed for a divorce after 25 years. Thus, Paul and she divorced. The divorce was a very dark time for Paul. It took time for him to heal.
In 2007, he went to North Park University to get his Masters in Nursing with the hopes of restarting his nursing career that he loved so much. He was a natural caretaker. He graduated and started working.
He bought a 3 story flat on Oak Park Boulevard and became a landlord to lovely tenants. He was a very loving, kind, and generous landlord – he treated them like family. He installed a washer and dryer for them so they did not have to go to laundromats and the washing was free! He often put their needs over his. He was always the “Provider”.
“All we are is dust in the wind.” KANSAS
I come, I go, I remain.
Mr. Obis was the best landlord I ever had. He was very respectful, very helpful, kind, and generous. It was heartbreaking when he left to go to California.
There was no-one kinder to me.
We feel that Paul was a real visionary and a very fine, strongly ethical person. We visited his home in Oak Park, Illinois and stayed there. He took us to see a home built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Also, he introduced us to Mr. Rogers. He brought Mr. Rogers to our home twice to see us. Unforgettable experience!!! Today we fondly think about him and we will treasure our genuine friendship in our memory! Akiko Aoyagi Shurtleff (with William Shurtleff)
The Buddha Gautama summed up the experience of human existence in seven words: “Men are born, they suffer, they die.” This isn’t exactly the “Hallelujah, Christ is born; Hallelujah Christ is risen” joyful perspective we Christians are encouraged to live within. Yet the words of the Buddha bespeak a human-enough point of view that might be an interpretation of the Book of Job.
Like many Christians, my reading of the Bible has tended primarily toward the New Testament. There are passages from the Old Testament that are common and familiar, particularly from the Books of Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. I also remember the general stories. Adam and Eve, the Ten Commandments, Noah’s ark, the exile of the Jews, David and Goliath. I get the general ideas, but for me, it IS in bits and pieces, like watching the sea: I am more apt to notice and think about the surface breaking of the waves than the immense depth of the waters below.
I read the Book of Job many years ago but didn’t remember much about it. My recollection short-circuted to the popluar phrase, “the patience of Job,” and that he was a man who lost everything but retained his faith in the Lord.
I picked up the Book of Job again about six months ago during a trial of spiritual exhaustion. A multitude of events had eroded my confidence and self-worth, and I was left hurt, angry, depressed, despairing, and wounded. I had been betrayed. Feelings like these are all too familiar for those who trust and are open to the fullness of life. I was vulnerable and my trust had been taken advantage of. Gratefully I remain vulnerable.
It amazes me that throughout my ordeal, I never lost my faith. I consider this a gift. Indeed, it was often faith alone that got me through the really hard times. And sometimes, when my faith seemed nearly exhausted, it was simple religious dogma that prevented me from acting on my worst ideas.
There are certain matters of dogma, the teachings upon which faith is based, that are ingrained deep within our psyches. We take them for granted and don’t give them much thought. Like the foundation of a house, the foundations of our beliefs are most visible when the shell is removed. In my case, the belief in hell, the devil, life after death, and the Commandment not to kill – either myself or someone else – were among these simple, early learned, and deep-rooted convictions. They remained as part of my personal foundation after the shell of my ego, and much that I had thought precious, had been taken away.
Biblical scholars generally date the writing of the Book of Job to about the sixth century B.C., although it may be considerably older. The main character is a man caned “Job,” but scholars also dispute the accuracy of this name. Likewise, the location – usually thought to be Babylon – has also been challenged. In the big picture, such details matter little -sacred writings from other parts the world and other religious traditions recount similar stories. But the story of Job raises and possibly answers some of the universal questions about divine justice, faith, and our relation to God.
Job is rich beyond measure. He has thousands of head of livestock, seven sons, and three daughters. He lives a life of piety and devotion. And God, proud of Job, tells Satan about his blameless and upright servant. Satan responds to the Lord saying Job is so devoted because of all the Lord has given him. Satan asks God to take away Job’s blessings and says his faith will disappear.
God agrees to the scheme, and Satan, measure by measure, takes away Job’s possessions and his children and inflicts him with physical suffering. The once-rich job is reduced to homelessness. He is covered with sores and sleeps in the dirt wearing rags. Job’s wife urges him to curse God for his troubles, but Job refuses.
Job’s condition is so pitiful that when friends find him, they remain silent for a week. When they finally speak, they tell Job to praise the Lord and repent his sins.
Job steadfastly maintains he has done no wrong while his friends continue to urge his repentance. Job expresses increasing bitterness and wishes for death. He stops short, however, of cursing God for his condition. Job only wants to know why he has been made to suffer for no apparent reason.
To Job’s surprise, the Lord responds to him in a storm. God declares his own greatness and asks Job questions concerning the powers of nature and the origins of the universe; questions Job cannot answer. Job is humbled by the questions, coming as they do directly from the Almighty, and retreats, acknowledging the unfathomable greatness of God. Eventually the Lord restores Job to even greater abundance.
The divine justice we find in this book is perplexing, disconcerting, and has been questioned by rabbis, priests, and theologians for more than 25 centuries. But reading the Book of Job did something for me, it validated my anger.
For several years I was extremely depressed and on the verge of suicide. Like Job, I found myself wondering what I had done to be in such a state, and I found myself asking the same question: “Why, God?”
There were certain people with whom I was very angry, but rather than accept my anger, I internalized it and felt guilty. Friends told me to pray for those whose actions had contributed to my depressed state, but I couldn’t pray for those who had betrayed me. When I read Job, I realized it was okay to be angry. Because I saw how angry job was at his circumstances, I was better able to accept my own anger. I needed to be angry. By accepting my anger, I was able to process, not oppress it.
I also realized that, in comparison, my situation was not that bad. I still had my family, my health, and a few other things. My body was not covered with sores, my children were not dead, and I was not sleeping in dirt. Job helped me to put my own problems into perspective.
These were the simple things I learned. As for the bigger questions, I have some ideas.
The first question people usually ask upon reading Job is “Why?” Why would God allow job to suffer to prove a point to Satan? The answer, as God makes clear to Job, is that we simply don’t know and never will. To Job’s intense questioning, God basically says, “My reasons are none of your business.” The ways of the Lord remain a mystery.
We can speculate on the benefits of hardship. My suffering helped to nurture my humility. It reduced my vanity and covetousness and undercut my bloated ego. The hardships that are an inevitable part of life allow each of us opportunities to grow in charity, compassion, and forgiveness.
The Book of Job teaches us that God demands our praise and faith. In response to Job’s pained pleading, the Lord responds not with compassion but anger. Imagine a child interrupting a group of adults engaged in a serious discussion. The adults respond to the child by saying, “Don’t interrupt us.” God said to Job:
Who is this that obscures divine plans with
words of ignorance? Gird up your loins now
like a man; I will question you, and you will
tell me the answers (Job 38:2-3)!
We see here the angry God of the Old Testament. This God demands our respect, our subservience, and our praise. Job cowers before this figure. As Christians, we emphasize the forgiving God as manifested by Jesus. Yet Jesus reminds us to pay tribute to God each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer. It is not fashionable in our culture of equality to think of an angry God, but it is one of the essential lessons of Job and Jesus Christ.
Finally, there is the matter of faith, one of the key lessons of Job’s story. Despite his suffering, Job never lost his faith. He was angry, depressed, and felt abandoned, yet he never stopped believing in God’s mercy. Job desperate wanted to know why he was made to suffer; he wanted to assert his innocence. Job believed in divine justice and was trying to understand his predicament. God responded angrily, but in the end the Lord restored Job’s health and prosperity. In our own trials we should never lose our faith. God has a plan for all of humanity and for each of us. It involves suffering as well as joy. That’s life. If life were merely positive, or if everybody believed with absolute certainty that pious, righteous living would lead to just rewards, then the world would be a much different place. As it is, we are tested by life. Good fortune may cause us to celebrate and praise God, but hard times nurture and test our faith.
Recognizing the greatness of God, accepting life on life’s terms, and never abandoning our faith are essential lessons of Job. I know God has a plan for me, but what’s in store, I haven’t got a clue. Like job, I can only pray for divine mercy and hope for understanding.
What a great service he had to nutrition! Thank you for spreading love and knowledge, Paul. May you Rest In Peace. ❤️
Hi Janeen. This is a beautiful memorial. It is clear that Paul lived an extraordinary life. Thank you for sharing this with us. ♥️
Wow this is beautiful Janeen! I didn’t know your husband though what a legacy!! I was Vegetarian for 26 years and now vegan for the past year, appreciate our founders ❤ very best wishes to you xx
Your husband was one of my favorite people…he is missed!!
Omg…I was just thinking about him yesterday…..I was remembering the original vegetarian times magazine that was my bible when I went vegetarian and then vegan. I was also at the vegvfest in Pennsylvania when he announced he had sold the magazine….So I had just seen a copy of vegetarian times at the bookstore and noted how absolutely it was nothing like the original and I wondered what had happened to Mr Obis and here it is… I am so sorry. He was a great man ahead of his time.
Wherever this is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) #D91Kindness #District91Cares
Prayers from the entire Dugal family.
Paul volunteered as a school nurse during this time – and if a child did not have a lunch, he would give them money for a lunch.
Your husband was a true humanitarian.
This was amazing to go through his life! What a journey. Thank you for sharing this with us! RIP Paul
Thanks so much. You guys did a lot for us over the years.
Such a loving tribute, it speaks volumes about both of you.
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a trailblazer he was. 💕❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. VT started me off in my journey of vegetarianism. Wonderful magazine.
So sorry for your loss. I appreciate all he did for this community and all creatures.
Thank you Janeen, this is a beautiful testament to his life and work 💗
Condolences. The world has lost an amazing person. 🙁
Sorry for your loss. RIP trailblazer!
So very sorry for your loss. Vegetarian Times was one of my all time favorite magazines.
Sorry for your loss, Janeen. 💔😢 Everyone’s hearts here at Renovating Wellness go out to you and your family. Paul sounds like an amazing and inspirational man. The memorial you’ve made in his honor is absolutely beautiful!! <3
Sorry for your loss he did a great thing to be proud of 🌱🌷
Sounds like a wonderful guy. A man at the forefront of the food thing. So sorry for your loss…..
He looks like he was a sweetheart. Good night, Captain.
Paul and I lived right down the street from the buildings you posted -they always sent my spirit flying -Oak Park is magical.
So sorry for your loss. Your husband was a great help and support to me through the magazine
Thank you for sharing this. His passing is a great loss to so many of us who were helped by him.
Oh Janeen Obis. 😭 I am so sorry to hear this. Vegetarian Times has been my favorite magazine splurge for years. All the sudden, it disappeared and now I know why. ☹ His magazine is what helped me transition to a whole food plant based diet. Great recipes and information. 💖God bless you. Thank you for your post. Lifting you and your family up in prayers for strength. Thank you Paul Obis for making Vegetarian Times. Rest in peace.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m about the same age and began reading VT early on. He was so impressive. I lost track over the last several years. I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. My prayers are with you, his family and friends.
Thanks for sharing and Rest In Peace Paul sounds like a wonderful man and we were lucky to have him here in our community wishing your family the best and sending my prayers 🙏🏻
I published some great stuff and feel that I’ve made a positive contribution to how people eat and have raised awareness about animal rights issues and other things. I am proud with what I have done. I hope I’ve made a difference in the world.
Good man, good life, sad death… gone too soon!
I like the way your dad addressed each kiddo so respectfully, as if he were speaking to adults ❤️
Paul would take his sons on day trips and visit nearby hotels so they could swim in their pool. He was a great hands-on dad.
We are so honored by his memory.
He was a real child of the 1960s. “He wanted to change the world.”
Mr. Obis also was full of empathy and nursed his parents in old age.
I saw the memorial to Paul. very well done. I am privileged in having the honor of knowing him and being his friend. thank you for including me in the final project. I hope you are well.
A wonderful guy💞💞
I am truly sorry for your loss of this wonderful husband & dad who did so much good with his work creating Vegetarian Times Magazine. Our work here at LewyBody Dementia Resource Center is driven by each of our personal memories of caring for our loved ones along with all others who share their personal experiences of their loved ones. Please reach out to us anytime ~ we are here for you.
This fine man lived a brave and interesting life. He made his own decision about returning to meat and should not be questioned. It should also be noted that he ate — with thanks and grace — what was brought to him by concerned friends; the Dalai Lama once offered the same advice about how to react when offered non-vegetarian food when visiting someone’s home: Make your own decision, but it is not wrong to accept a generous offer of food and eat it in the spirit of thanks.
Janeen I am touched by your message. I did not know Paul yet the picture of him warms ones being. He looked like such a gentle & kind man. My mom has Alzheimer’s (14 yrs) and her younger brother passed away many years ago from the disease. He succumbed within 4-5 years. My dear friend now has Parkinson’s and her husband passed away from Lewy Body which is what your husband died from. They are all different yet “all” the same. Sending you some hugs.
I worked with Paul for a time. He was a good man with a strong sense of purpose.”
″It just amazes me sometimes to think about how commonplace vegetarianism is becoming,″ Paul said.
The nation’s interest in health and fitness has given vegetarianism a respectability and acceptance that wasn’t there just a few years back. It’s easier for a vegetarian to eat out now, and there’s a greater selection of ingredients at grocery stores.
Thank you for sending. I am so sorry to hear of Paul’s death. I remember him very well – as a bright young man. Vegetarian Times did a story about my former husband James Tenuta and our son, who was then a baby. Jp is now 38 – and in touch with his dad. I will read his obit and am.interested to learn about Lewy Body Awareness. I am so sorry for your loss. What you are doing will surely honor Paul’s memory. Thank you so much.
An Angel.
Once, a gypsy musician read my palm. He scowled and I became concerned. “You are trusting,” he said, “and some people will take advantage of it. But don’t change who you are because of them.”
Very inspirational. Thank you for posting this. I always gravitated towards the book of Job. Still love reading it in my old age.
I was a tenant in Paul Obis’s building. He was the kindest, most considerate landlord that I ever had. He kept the place immaculate inside and out, let us do our laundry in the basement for free so that we did not have to go to the laundromat, shared meals, brought flowers when I had a heart attack, offered to paint my house every year, gave me the garage parking space – he was good to me because I was 20 years older and of color. He had a soul that was empathetic, generous, and kind. He was a mensch.
I’m grateful you made it through. We walk by faith, not by sight.
Good memories of him and all of his sons ( carpooling to Alcuin Montessori) and, of course, Mr. Rogers visiting our neighborhood! Sorry for your loss.
Bless his soul. From your accounts I know he was a beautiful human
Mickey Hornick & I enjoyed the basement bowling alley in their Oak Oak hime basement.
I read the Book of Job many years ago but didn’t remember much about it. My recollection short-circuted to the popluar phrase, “the patience of Job,” and that he was a man who lost everything but retained his faith in the Lord.
I picked up the Book of Job again about six months ago during a trial of spiritual exhaustion. A multitude of events had eroded my confidence and self-worth, and I was left hurt, angry, depressed, despairing, and wounded. I had been betrayed. Feelings like these are all too familiar for those who trust and are open to the fullness of life. I was vulnerable and my trust had been taken advantage of. Gratefully I remain vulnerable.