So what's your Dad up to?

[TheEquineFencer]

My dad was old enough to be my grandfather. He'd be 102 if he were still alive. I'm 55 and have a little brother that's 5 years younger. He dropped out of school in the 6th grade to support his 13 brothers and sisters so they could go to school after his dad died. He farmed the first 1/4 - 1/3 of his life, got married, had two daughters and a divorce, then married my mother. She was married before at the age of 13 and had two boys and two girls by 19 and a divorce by 20. She was 17 years younger than dad. Then they had me and 5 years later my little brother. His two daughters were out and married when he met my mom. he started as struck driver for Thurston Motor Lines back in I think 1932 or '34 drove for them for almost 30 years. He knew "old man Thurston" well enough he could go to the main office and walk right in to see him long after he retired. He managed to raise 4 step children my cousin and my brother and I plus our grandmother stayed with us on a trucker's pay. If i didn't learn anything else from him I learned a "country boy can survive." We hunted, fished and trapped when we could. I learned at an early age what a "grubbing hoe" was. It works just like a tire hammer breaking down truck tires. I learned how to grow what I eat if I want and what I can eat right out of the fields if the need be. Everything he told me that was going to happen so far has. He once told me the day he saw bottle water being sold, that I needed to go buy as much swampland as I could, it'll be worth a fortune one day. I wish I'd listened to him. It's selling at a premium for wetland mitigation now. I wished I'd saved more money now, because he also said another depression is coming near the end of his life and it's going to be worse than the Great Depression ever thought about being. So far he's been right, keep that in mind. I miss his stories of when he was growing up farming, neighbors helping neighbors. His "poker playing days" with the "local mob" and such. Mom put and end to that, LOL. I guess in some ways he'd be proud of me in others not, we each must travel our own road and carry the weight of our actions. I know he was tickled when I went to tech school for Diesel mechanics, that was a high point for him when I graduated.

 

[lotsoftools]

My step dad is living in a trailer down by the river. He was diagnosed with Alzheimers, so my mom wanted to take him to the Colorado river to enjoy life for a while. They've been there since October, and I half expect they'll buy a house out there somewhere instead of coming back to Texas.

 

[theoldwizard1]

He's now 79 and in the early stages of dementia, can no longer drive or do as much.

Take him out for a drive. Stop and buy ice cream/pub/favorite restaurant.

Last time I did that, my Dad said I ruined his dinner at the Alzheimer Assisted Care Home, but boy he sure enjoy that little dish of ice cream !

 

[Lippyp]

Take him out for a drive. Stop and buy ice cream/pub/favorite restaurant.

Last time I did that, my Dad said I ruined his dinner at the Alzheimer Assisted Care Home, but boy he sure enjoy that little dish of ice cream !

Nice idea but he's very routine oriented and anything outside that makes him very anxious, guess its a symptom of the disease. I do try and help when I can but we live about a four hour drive away.

 

[Atalford]

Dad is going to be 70 this year. He is much smarter now than when I was 18. He is active in the masonic lodge. He loves his garden and woodworking.

 

[raddksn]

"He's much smarter now"

Wish I could tell my dad that!

 

[thightower]

Lost my dad on Oct. 9 1990 when I was 20. He taught me how to twist wrenches and to pay attention to the details while wrenching. I wouldn't be half the mechanic without him.

 

[crewchief888]

My dad passed away in 1978 at 59 years old. It took me many years to realize what he taught me, without ever really "teaching"
I'm sad all he ever got to see was the f*cked up kid I was...

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I like this thread.

 

[drummingpariah]

I've spent a lot of time with my Dad recently. Awhile back, he disabled one of his hands at work by putting a razor blade through all the nerves there. He's been out of work for awhile, and I decided to show him what I do for fun. For the past couple of weeks, he's been coming over and I've been walking him through what I know about fabrication with square tube. At the same time, I'm teaching him how to work on cars, how engines work, and what I tend to like in a race car.

I didn't get any of the 'learned all I know about XYZ from my dad' that many of you did, but I assure you that it's just as memorable the other way around. It's just a good excuse for a father and son to spend time together.

 

[WoodsTruck]

I helped my dad build his house when I was 13. Learned a lot of tools for mechanical advantage when there was just one and a half of us on the job site when building a 3 story house. I would think through the processes and would come to a question that I didn't know the answer, like where does the plumbing go when you have too many wires or vise versa. He would tell me to go figure it out. Since then, there have been a lot of cooperative efforts where he sends me a picture or drawing of what he needs fixed, then I figure it out and either send him a drawing or mail him what he needs.

Recently, he put together a road grader drag for his .3 mile driveway that has a couple switch backs in it. I came across the road grader bits a while back and supplied the old leaf springs and he did the rest. Once it was complete, I couldn't leave well enough alone so I build the rear lift wheel assembly so he can raise and lower the blades to feather in the gravel or raise it to go turn around. All with spare material laying around minus a handful of the right length bolts to make it look better. I guess the "use what you have" mentality came from him but he is pretty quick to give me grief about having extra stuff just laying around until I have what he needs.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I just returned after a couple of nights with him, I'm lucky to be able to see him at will.
Here is a short video of pop building his house, my cool brother produced this for class.

https://vimeo.com/86110093

 

[Charles (in GA)]

My Dad just turned 89, and after a long distinguished career as a scientist, researcher, and university professor, he still spends most of his day working and writing. He's recently published scholarly articles written with co-authors around the country, and he's working on a book.

I've heard most of the stories before, but I never get tired of listening to him talk about being in the Glider Infantry in the 17th Airborne in WWII. I can't imagine the hardship, horrors, and sacrifices he endured before the age of 19, not only as a US infantryman in Germany, but having grown up in a poor East Texas farming family during the Great Depression.

He told me the other day "I heard that nearly 500 WWII vets are dying every day... You know, I went into the Army pretty young - I think I might have a real shot at being the last living WWII veteran someday!" I told him "I'm rooting for you Dad... I hope you are."

My uncle, was born (1919), raised and lived and died in Temple. He was a glider mechanic stateside. Had a heart murmur so they would not send him overseas. Drafted in '43, discharged in '45 and re-upped, discharged again in '47 or '48 and re-upped again, left the service for good in '50 as a Sargent in a rescue unit at Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, AK. Knowing how good he was with animals, I suspect he was a dog handler for the sled teams.

His glider unit had a patch with a mule holding ropes in his mouth, each attached to an airborne glider behind him. Not sure what unit it is.

 

[Murdoch]

This is a great thread, mom's need to be acknowledged in another.
Growing up I called my dad sir and he called me Mr.Murdoch lol. I don't think he liked kids much. He always worked. I never respected him because in my eyes he was weak. After mom passed when I was around 20 he had a stroke and now he needed us. Hmm ironic, anyway something interesting affected him with the stroke. He spoke, he called us by name, he talked about himself as a youth. No way I can't believe it, my dad was human. My 2 brothers, my sister and myself took care of him for a few years. The last couple he went to a home. We all worked and lived separately and he needed someone with him. We were all there when he passed. I could've been a better son as he could've been a better father. Before he passed I apologized and said that regret is a bitter pill to swallow. That was 16 years ago and it's funny that I didn't think he taught me anything growing up. I was wrong, love ya pop...GM

 

[gravelydude]

My Dad is 89 now. For many years, I owned a hardware store, and could only get to see him once or twice a year. Owning your own business can really be a *****. A year ago, my wife and I sold our hardware store that we had for 25 years. Now, even though he is in Ohio, and we are in Florida or North Carolina, I get to see him every other month. Main reason for selling my business.

We were never that close when I was a kid. My Dad was a doctor, and was always working. In those days, doctors weren't as specialized. My Dad did minor surgeries, OB/GYN, made house calls, in addition to keeping regular office hours. Not much time for interaction with his three kids. He always wanted me to be a doctor, but I really didn't like the idea. I went to college, and became a CPA. I did that four five years, and then bought a hardware store. Then I ended up becoming a workaholic like my Dad. Took me 25 years to get over it.

My Dad always wanted to become an aircraft mechanic, but when he enlisted during WWII, they put him in the infantry. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. He doesn't like to talk about it. Says that he doesn't have any "Old Army buddies", they all died in battle. All he can say about it is that "war is hell, and I am glad that my sons never had to go into battle".

After my Mom died, my Dad remarried, and slowed down a little at work. Then after a few years, he retired. Then he set up a machine shop at his house, and piddled around machining and welding for a few years. He has also been an organic gardener for many years. I have learned a lot about gardening and small-scale farming from him. He is not able to garden or work in the shop any more. He pretty much drives the recliner most of the day, and enjoys watching financial TV shows. I am flying up to see him tomorrow with my brother. I am extremely grateful that at this stage in my life, I am able to see him more often. We get along great now, but it was not always the case. Up until a few years ago, he never told me that he loved me. I don't think that I told him nearly enough, either. Now, I end every phone conversation with "I love you, Dad", and he reciprocates. He has become a lot more emotional in his eighties. It is amazing that it has taken both of us this long; better late than never. I have not always gotten along with or agreed with my Dad, but I have always loved and respected him. Every day, I appreciate him a little more.

Jack

 

[venturesomerite]

My Dad died when I was 23. Hope you guys realized how luck you are! Make sure they keep on keeping on!

I had a buddy that was 85 and used to go on roofs, and anything you can think of with me. I firmly believe that having a job to do kept his mind sharp and his spirit young. I think when people loose a purpose, they loose a drive.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

My dad has been gone since '86. I was twenty-five. Biggest thing I learned from my dad was to not be like him. My mother; on the other hand; I could write volumes from what I learned from her. Greatest person (and mom) in the world.

 

[Strouty]

I figured there would be lots of stories, some good, some sad, and some ugly. Sorry to all those that have lost Dad's or had bad experiences. I know I had more than one "Dad", I think I learned a lot from some of my friends Dads and Uncles too. I am still learning a lot. My Dad is gearing up for building a dock out on an island in the ocean. I am glad to be a part of it, I am also bracing for the head butting that will undoubtedly occur. That is all part of it, heck sometimes I think he learns from me too.

 

[Outlander]

Dad was born in 1917, and contracted polio as a child. Had one leg slightly shorter than the other and a deformed foot. Didn't keep him from building our house in 1949 when he married my Mom (well she wasn't my Mom, yet). He died of cancer 2 months after my son was born - I swear he held on to see him.

I suspect he is in heaven now, looking down probably with his palm on his face thinking that kid still needs an attitude re-adjustment!

[side note] Dad passed away at home, where I also raised my family, I warn them that he wanders the halls at night....watching...waiting........

 

[Strouty]

Dad passed away at home, where I also raised my family, I warn them that he wanders the halls at night....watching...waiting........

Poor kids, they are going to have a complex!

My grandfather passed away last year, he was 98 and ¾. His body failed him the most, he still could talk about all sorts of things, but he had a tough time remembering more current things. I learned a lot from him, and I am still learning from my Father. The funny thing is he was not really around when I was younger, but once I was old enough to work, I worked with him. Now we do our separate things, but I think we appreciate each other more.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My step-dad spent a few years in the Navy back in the late sixties after high school in Scotland. When he came back, he was an electrician at GE, like his father, an electrician at the local stone quarry. As a kid, he tried to show me a few things about electrical work when he worked for several of the local farmer on their grain set ups. I should have learned then until waiting till later in life. He started doing some wood working at home, taught me a few things about that, along with my uncle and shop class in high school .

He spent about 35 years at GE, retired with Mom who had retired a few years before him. When she wanted to buy a long arm quilter, he agreed and went along with her to the classes. When Mom decided she couldn't do it, he took up the slack and ran the quilter while she did some other sewing work on the quilts. Now, with both of them being retired, they work on the quilts for extra cash at their pace, in their basement and enjoy life.

 

[Strouty]

I spent some time with my Dad tonight, my stepmother is out of town, so my GF and I took him out to dinner. Good conversations, wish I spent more time with him.