God, family, country ... those are the three things Dad loved the dearest.
His love for his country was built on his service in the United States Air Force. He fondly recalled his time in the regular Air Force and the reserves.
He was a cryptographer. To me that word meant secret agent. To him it was how he helped out his country.
The Air Force did great things for Dad. And he came away with the love of his life, his wife Mary.
A whirlwind romance ended with a wedding at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, in 1955. They had a love that grew stronger and stronger for 58 years. I marvel in their love story, which near the end showed me how deeply love grows.
Their love brought forth two sons. Two boys who were the luckiest people in the world. We had the best superheroes ever. They were, are and will always be role models.
His love for his family was seen when he gathered us up and drove us over to Columbian Park for the annual Colt World Series. Dad so loved the umpire he kept yelling his praises. One game, the home plate ump turned around and asked him if he wanted to clean the plate.
It was the times he played catch in the back yard or took us to the school to shoot baskets.
Dad didn't waste words. Sometimes I wondered if a cat really had swiped his tongue.
But when he did speak, the words painted a picture and help forge lessons still used today.
When his oldest son was killed. He told the younger one, his brother had gone to be with Jesus. I never did ask him how those were the words he came up with but it eased the hurt.
I do have to say he loved to talk more after he retired. He was able to really have a nice day.
He loved his family, and extended family. He was gruff and growled but he was there when needed.
Dad cared for his family.
And he was a member of God's family.
A couple of years ago, I found out Dad considered the priesthood. He played church growing up. He used the salt and pepper shakers for the communion sacraments.
Dad enjoyed his days of attending school at St. Boniface and being an altar boy.
The priesthood's loss was our gain.
Dad could have run from the church in 1970 after my older brother, Michael, died. Nope. Dad faced the devil and never doubted.
He turned more so to God.
To this day I am still amazed at how Dad could get so much out a sermon. More amazing was that he used tidbits weeks or months later.
He would say, "Jeff, remember what father said in that sermon about ... "
The lesson: Pay attention. This might help you later.
Later is now.
I have paid attention Dad ... we will miss you, but Dad, you will always be here in the love of God, family and country.
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