We all gather here today with our own, different, memories of Dad. He was known as son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. My Dad touched so many lives, and I’m not sure he was even aware of the impact he had.
Dad was the real deal when it came to good men. He was a really good man. I told my husband, they just don’t make them like him any more. He and Mom were married 64.5 years when she passed away. They had a love story that stood the test of time, raising children, running a farm and Dad working “in town.” He would come home every day for lunch, and then lay down for a quick nap (a habit I have taken up in my adult life) and then go back to work. Then it was home for farm chores and duties. For many years, on Fridays, it was lunch at Reyes’ cafe-a real treat.
Dad’s office at Heldt Bros for most of his career had a big picture window overlooking the yard. He truly cared about the men and the families that were represented among the Heldt employees. He told me stories of talking them through personal crisis’ and helping them figure out things. Some took the advice, some didn’t, and mostly they all respected Dad.
He was loyal. He stayed at his job with Heldt Bros. for 40 years. Through the good times and the bad times in the oil field, he stuck with Heldt Bros.
He was loyal to his family and friends too. His lifelong friend, George Frank, lived just 1/4 of a mile from him his whole life. Those two had all kinds of wild tales of the mischief they got into as boys riding their horses all over the countryside- and uphill both ways in the snow to school. He was loyal to my Mom. After she passed, he was sharing with me that he was never once tempted to be unfaithful to her…and he had offers! But he wasn’t that kind of a man. He was a really GOOD man. He loved Mother like I’ve never seen anyone love before. They had their good times and rough times too. No matter what, he loved and stayed committed through it all. He was an outstanding model and example of what fidelity, loyalty, commitment and marriage could be. He missed her tremendously when she passed and now I smile, knowing they are together again.
Dad was funny. He took a pottery class at A&M to fulfill one of his electives when he worked on completing his Bachelor’s. He had a little funny drawing of a cowboy that he put on the bottom of his pieces. He would sign letters EEG with his distinctive signature. When the grandkids would come see him, he would read them books and then mess with them on purpose and change the words around…they would say “But Grandpa, that’s not what it says” and everyone would have a good laugh! And he loved to walk down the hall in the VERY early morning, throw on the lights, singing and yell “Good morning, it’s time to get up!
He was generous. My dad taught me about selflessness, sacrifice and generosity. He and Mom tithed, gave donations to causes they believed in and took care of people. There was a family who they brought baskets to at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. They helped with school clothes and supplies. They did this for many years. Not for any sort of recognition, but because it was a kind and good thing to do.
Dad loved unconditionally. He loved his wife, his family, siblings, parents, cousins, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was delighted at having a large family and just loved everyone so much. His fondest wish was that we would all come live in Alice in a family compound, close to him, so he could see us all often. He understood us growing up and away, and being independent. There wasn’t a phone call or visit I had with him that he didn’t ask about all of my children. He wanted to hear over and over about all their lives.
My Dad was kind. He was a man of manners. Held the doors open for people, said please and thank you. He greeted people he knew, when he saw them at the store. He stopped and chatted. He had TIME for people. He remembered people and asked about their families. Most phone calls ended with “Thank you for calling”. Being raised German, and without much verbal affection, it was wonderful these last few months that when I would call, those phone call endings also included him saying “I Love You too”, at the end of our calls.
And lets talk COWS. The man loved his cows. He was raised on a dairy farm and learned to love the companionship his cows offered and loved taking care of them. He would know the history of each cow in his herd, and knew everything about them. The kids loved riding out into the fields with him to “throw cubes” and just spend time on the farm with him.
Dad was a man of faith. We went to Sunday school and church growing up, and then came home on Sunday’s for a family lunch with discussion around the table about that day’s sermon. He taught Sunday school, helped in many capacities here at Immanuel, and shared his faith in quiet ways, every day. Just being the kind of man he was spoke volumes to how he lived out his faith.
A friend asked me last week what my favorite memory of Dad was. I have two. It snowed when I was about 6 and Dad came and woke me up to take me outside to see it. Everything was blanketed in white. No foot steps anywhere. We walked down the driveway and Dad opened his arms outward and said “It’s a veritable Winter Wonderland” Indeed it was.
The whole family would go to Biry, west of San Antonio, for Thanksgiving and hunting when we were growing up. One day, Dad took me out to sit in the deer blind with him. We saw a very large herd of deer, with does, fawns, and 13 bucks. It was incredible. We sat there together, just fascinated and incredulous that there were that many bucks running with the does. A very special time just me and Dad, and a very special memory.
I will miss my Dad. He was a truly special man, and it is a true statement that the world is a better place for him being in it.
