A guy died yesterday that nobody that reads this blog knows. On Palm Sunday, which was appropriate. Born in 1915, he came of age during the depression – that experience left an indelible mark on his character. He served in the Navy during WWII and was onboard the Yorktown during Midway right through to the surrender in Tokyo bay.
He spent his time in between the war and his retirement working in Washington for the USDA. That retirement was in 1962. I was born in 1966. His second career was an almost 20 year stint overseas working for the Ford Foundation, USAID and the Michigan State University.
His third career was as an agent for the Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance. It was also at this time that he became concerned about the dearth of Lutheran Clergy and took up the cause to help underwrite the costs associated with Seminary.
Of course, it was at the time that he and his wife were spending vast amounts of time in Africa that I remember time with him the most. It was always cool when he came back from exotic locales – they brought the craziest stuff home from those postings. Well, the stuff they brought back seemed crazy to my 10 year old eyes. I’ve looked at it since and, while it holds sentimental value, I don’t think any of it is some sort of illegally exported cultural treasure. They cooked oriental food that started with Chicken McNuggets!!
My brother and I spent 2 summers travelling with him and his wife across the vast mid-section of the Country via car – a Lincoln Mark IV. I’ll never forget that little window in the back. They guy was the Iron Man of driving. If the car wouldn’t have run out of gas, he wouldn’t have stopped it. The cultural divide between them and us was vast. They were both children of the depression and had spent a fair amount of time at pretty tough duty. I was a punk kid from the Washington suburbs. We agreed Nixon with a man with no code. He didn’t think much of Jimmy Carter – I thought he was a great guy. Of course, I was 1o. Despite all of that, I remember the time fondly – he was a cool guy to talk to. He frequently didn’t think much of our behaviour (I once conned my brother into climbing a ham radio tower in Iowa that was about 50 feet tall. This resulted in a visit from the PD and some serious fun and games when we got back) but we did get along. He was an interesting guy and, in later years, I started to keep up with current news and that greased things right along.
We went out to visit him and his wife in the mid 80’s in Michigan. It was at this time that I asked him about his service during the war. He politely demurred and we talked about something else. Their house was packed with stuff so it was always easy to find something to talk about. About 2 weeks after my return home I received a 6-volume history of the Battle of the Pacific via UPS from him. He also signed me up for the Economist a couple of years ago. Great magazine.
My Grandfather died on Palm Sunday. He spent his time in service of his Country, his family and his faith. He worked hard for what he believed in. I hope that I can continue in that tradition and that he might reflect fondly on my efforts. God bless you Grandfather.
April 18, 2011 at 8:41 pm
He was a real part of The Greatest Generation, Andy. If you go to the WWII memorial in DC and sort of “squint,” you’ll see other older gentleman who remind you of him and you will be moved. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. God bless your Grandfather.
April 18, 2011 at 9:03 pm
A well done eulogy for a fine gentleman. Grandfathers (Opas) are very special.
April 19, 2011 at 7:16 am
Well done Andy. Prayers to you and your family.
April 19, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Well done, fine sir, well done. When I die, I hope someone thinks as highly as me.
April 19, 2011 at 9:22 pm
That tower sure seemed taller than 50 feet….
The thing I will always remember about our trips with him and grandmother was Niagara and the Corning glass factory. At the time I had no idea why we were being dragged through a place that made glasses….until I got there and saw it.
30 years later (just this past summer) my sons wondered why they where being taken to a “shop to buy glasses.” Several hours later they were not happy about leaving.
Fair winds and following seas.
April 19, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Andy,
I’m sorry about your grandfather. I am also glad that you both had alot great years together.
You and your family are in my prayers.
April 20, 2011 at 9:44 am
Andy,
I remember the post-post wedding get together at Sarah’s parents house talking to your gandfather and getting a sense of what he went through while serving in the Pacific. He was reticent in talking directly about the subject. Most of that generation did their job and came home without tooting their horn. He will be missed.
April 21, 2011 at 9:02 am
Andy,
I can appreciate these memories. I was very close to my maternal Grandfather, and he had a tremendous impact on my life. He too was a WWII Navy man, and was aboard an LST on the beaches of Normandy. He raised 10 children, 5 born before the war, and 5 more after.
I think it very important that we remember and pass on our impressions of who these people were in life. Considering the state of our society, I feel whenever we lose one of these pragmatic people, our society is a bit worse off.