This is Dad's Memorial. This is a celebration of his life, 89 years.

When one thinks of Dad, one automatically thinks of Mom: you can't think of one without thinking of the other. Mom and Dad were known as R and R, Roy and Rose. In military talk, that's a time set aside for Rest and Recuperation. It pretty much sums up the way they lived their lives. Their home was always open to those who needed to find solitude and warmth in a time of need, or just relaxation and peace of mind. That's just the way it was. They put everyone before themselves. In the last two years, it was hard to watch Dad's body become old and frail. His own frustration was evident.

The night Dad passed away, Reverend Summerville introduced himself to us at the hospital. He wanted me to make a list of all the wonderful things I remembered about Dad. Reverend Summerville told us, " It's better just to move those last two painful years aside and remember all the things that put a smile on ones face when you think of your father, and keep those close to your hearts." And, I did just that. Dad was a young man of 20 when he landed on the Beach at Normandy-the second day of D-Day. He survived a tumultuous landing. Little did he know he would meet the love of his life and be with her for 68 years. Dad met Mom in Belgium on September 2, 1944, near the end of World War II. It was the liberation of Belgium from Germany. Dad was a sergeant in the U.S. Army and was coming through France, then into Belgium, just behind the front lines. There were celebrations in the streets of France and Belgium. Mom was among the well-wishers on the edge of a street in the small town of Brugelette in Belgium. Now, if I had asked my Dad, what the time of day was, and the names of the street corners when he first saw Mom, his memory was so unbelievable, he would have told me.

The Belgians were giving eggs, a sign of good luck, and champagne to all the Americans. Needless to say, everyone was celebrating. Dad, had his helmet full of eggs, slipped and fell off his military truck to the ground. He managed to hold onto his helmet without breaking any eggs. As he lay on the ground, Mom rushed to his side to check on him. When Dad opened his eyes he told me, "I thought I went to heaven, I saw the most beautiful angel." He looked throughout towns for three days for this beautiful girl with long red hair. The rest is history. Their courtship started, Dad left a time to fight, then continued the courtship in January 1945, when he returned from the Battle of the Bulge.

Dad didn't really speak French, and Mom really didn't speak English, but they married July 18, 1945 and were married nearly 67 years. I asked Mom one time, "If you really didn't understand each other, how did you speak to each other." Mom laughed and told me they used dictionaries to converse, and she just knew that he was really funny. Dad's sense of humor was divine, no matter what the situation was, he found room for a joke to make you laugh.

He taught us the correct way to suck up a foot-long spaghetti noodle without making a mess...which Mom thought so inappropriate......to singing silly, crazy songs he sang as a kid. He knew everyone by name, in stores, banks, everywhere, and took time to listen to their stories.

He had an unbelievable heart of gold.

He was a man of tradition, from enjoying family holidays at home, to taking his children and grandchildren to the "First Day of School." He did this until he could no long drive. His dedication as a father continued when he was transferred to Saudi Arabia for a year with the Army Medical Corp. He actually rode a camel 1 mile through the desert every Saturday, to reach the Ham Radio location and call us, because he promised he would do this. He was always a man of his word. He loved his family. If we needed him, he would be there in a heartbeat, from delivering lunches, to shopping for a special hair bow that went just perfect with that special dress. He was the best provider he could be. He retired as a Captain from the U.S. Army Medial Corp, and retired as a hospital director with the Lutheran Church Society. He always said, "If you did your very best that you can do, then you didn't fail. You only fail if you don't do your best." He loved listening to the Big Band Music of the 40's. But, as a dancer, he had two left feet. Mom was the ball room dancer. Sometimes this brought out a jealous streak in Dad. Not only was she a fabulous dancer, but she was also quite a beautiful lady. All the heads turned. Dad adored her.

He loved to eat. That was his greatest passion in life, and why wouldn't it be....he was married to the best Belgian cook.

He had a passion for football and poor Mom was a football widow for months. He didn't miss a game. He was diplomatic and always had a sweet, cute smile when he greeted someone. He loved a beautiful garden with fruit trees, colorful flowers and flowering trees and loved to see things grow. Not only was their home inviting, but their gardens as well. He was gracious and people loved him for this. He loved Jeopardy and knew most of the answers.

He was an avid reader of mystery novels, Agatha Christy was his favorite, and he loved to figure out, "who done it." He read the sections of the New Testament at night before he went to sleep. He did this up to the time his vision finally left





continued...










1





2








Next