90 years ago...
Today would have been my dad's 90th birthday.
My dad had a rough childhood in South Dakota. His mom was widowed at a young age with four children to care for and those were the days before public assistance programs.
Dad graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Forestry. His first job was as a junior ranger in Northern Arizona.
He and my mom had met in Idaho. She took the bus to Flagstaff and they were married there. I recently found some letters my dad had written to my mom when they were courting. It was all very proper and everything was done through the mail. My dad even told his mom about the marriage via a letter rather than a phone call.
At my dad's funeral all kinds of people came up to me and told me how kind and generous my dad was. He treated everyone kindly and gave freely of his time to whoever needed it. I'll always be grateful to him for treating his son and daughter in law the same as his kids. Never an unkind word.
In Yellowstone last summer I had actually started thinking about what we were going to do for dad's 90th birthday. For his 80th we had a big reception for him at the Museum where he volunteered. Here's a few shots from that special day.
My dad liked being the center of attention that day, you could see it in his face. I know it made him very happy that his kids had hosted this party for him. I'm so glad we did too!
I honestly thought my dad would outlive all of us. He was so healthy up until the last couple years. Today I know he's up in heaven celebrating his birth on January 2, 1928. What could be better than a party in heaven?
Happy birthday, Dad!
My dad had a rough childhood in South Dakota. His mom was widowed at a young age with four children to care for and those were the days before public assistance programs.
My grandma worked numerous odd jobs to care for her kids. Luckily there was family nearby to help too.
This is the famous canoe--there's a story connected to that canoe that involves my grandmother being told that all her boys had died on the river one day.
A good looking group of kids. Only Glenn, the youngest, is left now. He's the last of my uncles and his wife is the last of my aunts.
Dad graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Forestry. His first job was as a junior ranger in Northern Arizona.
He and my mom had met in Idaho. She took the bus to Flagstaff and they were married there. I recently found some letters my dad had written to my mom when they were courting. It was all very proper and everything was done through the mail. My dad even told his mom about the marriage via a letter rather than a phone call.
At my dad's funeral all kinds of people came up to me and told me how kind and generous my dad was. He treated everyone kindly and gave freely of his time to whoever needed it. I'll always be grateful to him for treating his son and daughter in law the same as his kids. Never an unkind word.
This is one of my favorite shots taken during a family get together in California for my oldest brother's retirement from the navy. So fun that we all took our shoes off and waded in the Pacific Ocean.
Look at this little guy!
My dad had a lot of friends and most of them showed up that day to celebrate with us.
I honestly thought my dad would outlive all of us. He was so healthy up until the last couple years. Today I know he's up in heaven celebrating his birth on January 2, 1928. What could be better than a party in heaven?
Happy birthday, Dad!
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