My Dad

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.     (2 Timothy 4:7-8 TNIV)

On Sunday, March 6th, 2011, my dad finished his battle with a degenerating body and left this life to go into the next, ending an 86-year run and a 62-year marriage.  He set the bar high, leaving a challenge for all of us to clear.  He loved his wife; was proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and walked in faith, using his skills and gifts to try to make the world a better, safer place.


I had been writing blogs and setting them to post in the future, finishing up a series of thoughts on walking together with God.  These blogs were set to post all the way up to and including the day of dad's funeral.  I fully intended to write a blog to thank dad for the way he his life has helped shape mine.  After the funeral I was simply too exhausted to write.  So, today I finally payed tribute to the man I considered to be my best friend.  You can read some of my thanks to him here: Thank you, dad.


The week before he left, I had the opportunity to visit him one last time.  On the day of my visit, I wrote one of my "Garden Walk" blogs about him.  You can read it here:  People  Dad read this blog (or, more accurately, mom read it to him) and then he wrote out a response to me that mom emailed back.  I thought I would finish today's entry with his final thoughts to me.

Hi Pete,

Before I write about anything else, I want to tell you how much we appreciated your visit this week !! A little one on one time and a little reminiscing

As I put my pen to paper, I have a great feeling of pride and humility. You laid out my life very well and family was the most important part to me.

You'll never know how good it was to come home, walk through our door and find a wife and children who love me....and be able to leave all the "bad" stuff outside.

As I look back, I really don't remember the "bad stuff" but more of the "good stuff". We had a lot of fun watching you kids grow up, and as mom and I look back we say " we think we must have done something right to have such wonderful kids !"

We are so proud of you and your family, Pete, and pray that you all can enjoy life as much as we have, and still do.

         May God Bless you.

               Love you, 

                   dad