Tomorrow, March 12th, marks the 4 year anniversary of my fathers' death. Though time has been kind in healing the depth of sorrow I experienced, I still miss my dad, and know I always will remember him as the kind, caring Dad he became. Besides being a very devout Christian man, Dad left many legacies to which he can be remembered. He started Our Family Puppeteers in 1987, in which he created many puppet characters, intricate designed props, wrote amazing, beautiful shows that will be remembered by hundreds, and a stage and lighting system that couldn't be matched. We performed many shows, most of which he charged no fee, our pay was the smiles and gratitude from our many audiences.Dad was also a bee keeper, for many years he had hives that he built himself and filled with swarms of bees. When we were kids, he raised chickens for the eggs, and for poultry he supplied to the local meat market. Dad always had ways to earn extra money to keep food on the table for our family of seven.
He built and flew model airplanes, and made many a plane with my brother and his grandsons. Cherished memories for my son Chad.
But one his favorite hobbies was his radio. Dad call sign was K8IEK, receiving his license in 1955. Many a time Dad could be found in his radio room, sending out Morse code, to far off places all over the world. He looked forward to the mail, QSL cards arrived almost daily, from those he contacted. I can still here the sound coming from his room, Dah di dah dit, dah dah di dah, cq,cq,cq, this is K8IEK. And the replies back from distant lands were carefully journaled in his log book. So fascinated, I worked hard and received my ham radio license, and the many memories of working with my dad in his "ham shack" were created. After his death, Mom sold his radios, and now the room sits empty of the things that were so special. Yet the memories remain, so clear. I'm fortunate enough to have his key, which has a special place of honor in my room, his log, and many of his QSL cards, and also received his call sign which is on my license plate. Such memories, such a legacy from a Dad that will always hold a very special place in my heart.
