My Father was born 100 years ago today. Physicist. Electrical Engineer. Husband. Father. World traveler.

 

Where ever he lived he always volunteered to help in his community in a variety of ways – from serving on boards, testifying at hearings, to helping set up tables and changing lightbulbs. He was always willing to help. His workshop was always a place where he would help fix things and make things for his family, friends and neighbors. When they wheeled Dad into his Hospice room on a stretcher one of the fluorescent lights was flickering. With a grin on his face he told the nurse “I can fix that for you”.

 

Not many people are aware that soon after his retirement, my Mother and Father sponsored a family from Laos and brought them to this country. They helped the family find jobs and housing. They helped them in every aspect of adjusting to life in a new country. Dad even taught them how to drive. I am very proud of both of my parents for sacrificing their time, money and energy to help a family in need on the other side of the world. In one small concrete very personal way they made this planet a better place to live because of what they have done.

 

Anne Morrow Lindbergh once wrote, “To give without any reward, or notice, has a special quality of its own.” Dad was a giver his whole life and even afterward. Soon after he died his corneas were donated so that two people were able to see.

 

When he first heard that he had cancer, thinking first of others , he said to my Mother, sister and me, “I have the easy job, you will have the hard job.”

 

My Father always taught tolerance, respect for another point of view and compassion for others.

He had an inquiring creative mind and a smart sense of humor. We are all profoundly grateful for his long productive rich life and the special quality by which he touch us all.