It was not an easy time as it is was about 16 months after the war, but that is how my life started with him. I came to see he was kind, gentle, and had a sly sense of humor. He was a giving man even though we didn’t have much. But for all my birthdays and Christmas’s he always managed to give me what I wanted. Gifts from daddy were always SO special.

Years later we returned to America and settled in Southern California where my dad became an Air Traffic Controller until his retirement at age 60.

In the mean time my dad had bought a vacant lot on a pretty hill with a tremendous view of the ocean. Then my folks had a really cute home built on it. The next 8 years I grew up there until I got married at 18. Those years taught me so much about my dad. He was very intelligent, could speak 5 languages, great with math, could spell anything, had a demanding job that he loved and was excellent at his work. He was a loving man, soft spoken and a REAL gentleman with superb manners.

Everyone who knew him just adored him. My mom and dad had a love affair with each other until the day my mom died. All their friends always saw that, too. When my mom came down with Alzheimer’s he would let no one but him take care of her. Years before when my mom’s parents had severe health problems he was always the one to do most things for them. His own parents had died years before that, and his dad lived to be 10 days short of 100 yrs old and in good shape.

My parents liked to entertain and had lots of friends. But his close friends remained that way till they died, he out lived all but one. My dad was a real wine coinsurer and I think every day of his life he had a full glass of wine. However, he never got tipsy or drunk ever. He also never that I ever heard swore. He always looked for the good in people and was respectful.

It wasn’t till after my mom died that I found out from him how there was one person he hated so bad and wished was dead, but I can’t reveal who that is. I did however feel the same way. Let’s just say it was an X family member. From this I learned this always happy man had very deep feelings about some things or persons.

He was always cheerful so I assumed that all was always OK with him. I learned after my mom died that was not the case. He approached life with a big smile but kept some things that had hurt him to himself…he just didn’t complain and kept all worries private.

My mom’s death really tore at him, and he really opened up about a lot of things. So for the next 4 years after that until his death at 93 I learned a lot more things for we had endless conversations about everything. He was even more remarkable than I had any idea of.

My dad had been a life long take a walk every day person. But he also loved taking drives everywhere and going to places and seeing things. He was SO much fun to be with and just enjoyed life. He was gracious, charming and had class. Nothing ever rattled him, and yet in the war he had been a B-17 pilot and saw so much.

He taught me much by being just who he was, and I have never met anyone that comes close to the kind of man he was. I think one of the biggest things he taught me was to respect money and how to make it work for you.

I always told my dad that I wanted to have a million dollars one day, and he always laughed with a gleam in his eye and said anything is possible…yeah right.

My parents managed to do everything they wanted in life (my mom did not work per se), and they owned what they had and owed no one anything ever. They had a quiet and unassuming life.

I was the Trustee of my dad's affairs, but at no time did I know or even guess what he really had. All I wanted were personal things from their home. Well, when all of a sudden he died after a short illness, I was absolutely stunned, saddened and astounded that he had died a millionaire! WHOA no one but his tax accountant knew that! I doubt also that my mom ever knew. I had always told my folks that whatever they wanted regarding their wills, etc. I would do and never thought about again it till I lost them.

His estate was divided up between 6 very surprised people. No, I did not receive a million dollars nor would I ever want it now for I am content the way things are. This was to be the last most amazing thing he did, and to most of the 6 people he will remain an unforgettable person for sure, and certainly not just because of the inheritance…..but because of how he lived his life.

Gosh I could go on about him for hours and hours and hours, for there are SO many things I didn’t mention here. He deserves a book written about his life and accomplishments. Almost forgot to say that he almost got to go to that most prestigious school West Point; he had the grades just not a sponsor.

Although I can‘t write a book about him, I am writing up a special list of 93 things I want his loved ones to know about him J

He was my MOST UNFORGETTABLE daddy who I will always love and miss terribly. Thank you, daddy, for the best present you ever gave me, YOU!!!!