Note: On Aug. 16 a funeral service was held for retired Contra Costa County Sheriff Warren Rupf at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill. The Rev. Donie O'Connor delivered a eulogy that we felt captured the essence of Rupf and his importance to this community. We offer an adaptation of it below for those who could not attend the service.

By the Rev. Donie O'Connor

If you did not show up to the party: would you be missed and why?

An important question to ponder. What is important in my life? My career, my wealth, my status, my fame ... .

All of the above may be important and necessary to sustain life, but being significant is what counts. Success adds value to our lives, but being significant adds value to other people's lives.

When we are significant we are part of other people's stories: their triumphs and their tragedies. Success dies with us, but being significant lives on.

The people we miss are significant because they give back and they make a difference. They invest their time in others, wish them well, believe in them and bless them.

Significant people live for continuity, not for impact.

Warren Rupf was one of those people. I visited Warren in the hospital a few weeks before he died. I had no idea of this legendary lawman's fame. I was only responding to a phone call from his wife, Carole, requesting me to visit.

I remember walking into the hospital room

Warren received three Sacraments: the Sacrament of the sick, Reconciliation and Holy Communion. He talked about preparing for his imminent death and how swiftly his life would end.

As I bid farewell and blessed Warren, he looked me in the eye and asked, "Father, tell me about your life?" I was taken back and surprised at such a question. In my 21 years of ministry I am rarely asked this question, especially at such a difficult time.

I revealed to Warren that I was a missionary for many years in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. I witnessed his eyes light up with keen interest and curiosity. I informed him that my work focused on education and health care in the sprawling slums and the remote villages of East Africa. But unfortunately, I had to return home last year because of serious health issues: malaria and the after effects of a horrific carjacking experience in Nairobi that almost left me for dead.

"Can I help?" Warren whispered! And he did. Just one week later Carole handed me a very generous donation outside the church door here at Christ the King church.

I sent Warren's donation to Alex, a boy from the slums of Nairobi. Now Alex has the opportunity for an education, an escape from the crippling poverty he was born into and the chance of a better life.

Alex may have been born in a slum, but Warren's care and concern assures him the slum was not born in him.

Far away in another continent Warren's passionate and generous spirit lives on in and through young Alex.

If you did not show up to the party: would you be missed and why?

Warren, if you did not show up to the party; you would be missed because you are significant.

The Rev. Donie O'Connor plans to return to his mission work in Africa in June 2013.