Touching base

Dad, I miss you. 

It took me a year to get here because your passing has been impactful. 

Below are the two original postings that were taken down before your funeral on Dignity Memorial. I don't know what the big deal was, but here they are again. I will add another post about my connection with you and baseball. That will have to wait a little. 

In many ways, you shaped my life. I'm grateful to finally be able to create this tribute to you.

~ Your oldest son, Rich, May 16, 2024

Dad, this photo perfectly captures a lifetime of unmatched professional accomplishments. You were always the youngest, the best, the most driven and committed, and among the highest awarded yet most humble. Even though I was a kid, I noticed and admired you for this. Several years after leaving home, my childhood room became a storage area for your work. The room was flush with plaques, awards, trophies, and keepsakes documenting your achievements. These were not displayed for viewing. You simply needed a place to keep all this stuff! I remember thinking for many years after that, whenever you did “go,” the only thing I would ever want from you were the items in that room.

When I was too young to have accomplished anything but old enough to appreciate this type of messaging, I remember you running your hands through my hair while saying you were very proud of me. Several times, you added that you hoped I would one day be more successful than you. Based on my admiration of you, this was the kindest thing you said. But also, saying this set the bar incredibly high.

While you would be happy with some of what I have accomplished in my career, this bar turns out to be unlimited. Thank you for my love and passion for work.

I learned a few years ago that you were also an excellent teacher. I am happy to report that teaching is a passion we shared. I regret not being able to have the opportunity to see you for many years and learned only after you passed that you were sick. I had no way of knowing any of this until now. I am happy to report that your granddaughter Hailey will represent my family at your service. You would have appreciated the woman she is and where she is going. Your other granddaughter Ashley is finishing her last semester at Penn State and cannot attend. Judy sends her love and regrets. I look forward to visiting your final resting place and paying my respects, soon.

~ Your son, Rich... with love from Judy, Hailey, and Ashley.

Many years ago, before the creation of Microsoft Word, IBM Selectric Typewriter, and typewriter with white correction ribbons, there was the Underwood typewriter. The typewriter in the photo was my dad’s.

I fondly remember my dad zipping through correspondence on the dining area table while I listened in my bedroom. God knows well; my dad was one of the fastest typists around. His impatience and drive to dispense of menial tasks quickly allowed him to fly through the typewriter keys like Speed Racer. Listening to this assault on white letter paper was very soothing for me. It was like rain hitting a metal roof.

Around the time the personal computers took over and my dad was putting the Underwood in the garage, I asked him if I could have it. I’m sure he could not imagine what I would want with it since I worked in technology. This typewriter played a part in my dad’s accomplishments for a while. I’m so lucky to still have it. And, I will be refurbishing it.

~ Keep typing, dad!