A Passing

Last night, after a lengthy decline in health, my father passed away.

He was a man. Take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again.
  • Hamlet, I.ii.195-6

He was a child of the Depression. He joined the Army at the age of 16 (he was sent back to his mother when they discovered it…she wrote him a permission slip and returned him to the army). He fought in Korea and Vietnam, a paratrooper, a Ranger and a member of Special Forces, highly decorated, and thus, a warrior.

He met my mother when stationed in Japan, and they were married over 50 years when she passed nearly 9 years ago (the fact that he passed 10 days before the 9th anniversary of her death is somehow wonderfully and mathematically organized, just like my dad). After 20 years in the army, he had another career, this one even longer at 27 years, working in agriculture.

He was a loving husband and a proud father. I hope I gave him reason to be. But if he was proud of me, he was doting as a grandfather. I’m so happy my sons were able to be with him as long as they have, especially since he moved in with us after the death of my mom.

The last few months have been tough on him, but he went peacefully, and for that I am thankful.

He was a man. Take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again.

So very true.

I suspect this passing and its attendant grief and logistics may cost us a few blog posts, but don’t worry, I’ve got a great podcast coming this weekend… an interview I did earlier in the week, in happier times.

One Reply to “A Passing”

  1. I am very, very sorry for your loss. If we followers do not hear from you for a while, we not only will understand but will wait patiently while you are away.

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