of my father today I find myself grateful for the role model he was, what I
learned and what I am still learning...
At an early age I learned that it was okay for boys to cry when their dog was
run over, because my dad did too.
I learned that it was good to work with your hands to build a garage, remodel a
house or fix something broken by adding a screw or bending some aluminum bar to
make it sturdy again.
I learned that it was actually cool to stay in Boy Scouts and get my Eagle
Scout Award. He did it before me. I learned to perservere.
I learned that it is good to do unexpected things for your kids when they need
help - like when he drove high-schoolers - Sue and me all the way from Moorhead
to Williams Arena to see the Spuds play in the State Championships then drove
home the same night so Sue and I could ride back on the bus with our friends.
I learned to love music by watching him build our first Hi-Fi record player,
and then listened until I fell asleep to The Dukes of Dixieland, the Peer Gynt
Suite and Louie Armstrong.
I learned to love the out of doors and the smell of an old tackle box with an
extra salted nut roll inside.
I learned to eat spaghetti in Dilworth when I was one year old.
He told me to support bringing pro hockey to downtown St. Paul when I was
Council President and generally contrary to anything the Mayor proposed.
He gave me courage to introduce a smoking ban in as I watched him struggle with
emphysema.
I learned from my parents that discrimination was wrong, that art was good,
that it was expected that we should volunteer.
Finally, today I learned that in death there can be dignity, joy in the friends
and family who surround you, and peace when you've completed a good life and
taught your final lesson.
Rest in peace Dad.