Friends! We are together today to celebrate my Father’s life because in some way or another he has touched each and everyone of us. I would like to tell you about a different side of my Dad that some of you may or may not have seen. When reminiscing about the true values that Dad has instilled in us from early childhood, four thoughts come to mind:

1. Love of God
2. Love of Country,
3. Integrity and
4. Selflessness

Love of God

All our childhood, Dad always told us about our loving God. Dad taught us that we are always in God’s hands and God will care for us today and tomorrow, as he did yesterday. Our life was and still is based upon Gods principles. When we were young, we always went to Sunday school. We learned the messages of the bible and how to incorporate them into our everyday life. We always said our prayers before every meal and at bedtime. In fact, the very prayers we learned as children, I use with my children today. Dad’s faith is deep and rather private.

Love of Country

Dad had a strong devotion to our country. He was willing to give up his life for his country and always taught us the true value of what it means to be an American. He taught us to honor our country by respecting its symbols. I remember on the military bases the national anthem would always play at 5:00 PM and people would stop their cars, get out and stand at attention. We always stood for the national anthem, hand on heart, and whenever the flag passed by. To this day, whenever I hear the national anthem, my eyes fill with tears. We are grateful to be Americans. This is one example of how Dad’s love of country has been instilled in us.

Integrity

Integrity is a big factor in our lives and always will be. Integrity means sticking to your principles no matter what. Everything we do in life is based on this. Dad told us if we always told the truth and were honest with ourselves and others, we would make it in this world. We would then respect ourselves and others would respect us as well. My children are being raised this way too. We are who we are because of Dad’s values and principles.

Selflessness

Dad always put everyone else before himself. His most often repeated phrase was "Always do your share, and a little bit more." He also admonished us to do good deeds but never mention them. He was a great teacher and never too busy to help someone learn. He had a soft heart. One of his favorite sayings was "A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to help someone."

I have talked about Dad in the singular tense throughout, but I do want you friends to know that we could not be who we are today without our wonderful Mother as well. Dad and mom have always been a team. They have worked together to give us the best life possible -- to teach us about ourselves--that we are wonderful children and that we can be whatever we want to be -- and that they are so proud of us and our accomplishments. They both always told us to "Do the best that we can do". As Dad put it in his retirement speech in 1990, "Mom has been and always will be the wind beneath our wings."

To close this wonderful celebration of Dad’s life, I would like to read you a letter that Dad wrote to my husband, Clark when Clark’s Mother passed away. I never dreamed a year ago that Dad would actually be writing this letter to us. (Quote) "Dear Clark, Thinking of you at this difficult time. I found this verse to be comforting. Hope you find it helpful. "God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be found. He closed his arms around you and whispered "Come to me". In tears we saw you sinking. We watched you fade away. Our hearts were almost broken, you fought so hard to stay. But when you were sleeping, so peacefully, free from pain, we could not wish you back to suffer again. So keep your arms around her Lord and give her special care. Make up for all the suffering and all that seemed unfair." Love, Bob." (unquote).

Dad meant so much to all who knew and loved him. I was trying to come up with the final words I could use to express what he meant to all who knew him. The words that came to my mind were: Dad you were a leader, warrior, wonderful Father, husband, grandFather, and most of all, friend. We know that you are with our Lord now and that you have gone to a better life. We will miss you terribly. But, we know that some day we will all be together again. We love you Dad!