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Grandpa wore a lot of hats. Grandpa had one for every occasion, and I thought I’d tell you a little about each of them.
Grandpa was a farmer and could often be seen in one of his cowboy hats. He always seemed most at home when he would take us to the fish farm or show us the peppers he was growing in the garden. Grandpa knew so much about the land and the crops, and loved telling us kids about his latest secret for making cherry tomato plants grow big and tall. I remember trips out to the dairy and being so happy but getting so scared petting the calves, and the way their noses tickled my hand when I tried to feed them—but I sure loved being out there with the security of having Grandpa by my side.
Grandpa also had an assortment of trucker caps, which he often wore outdoors or out on the open road. Pretty much all of my most joyful memories growing up involve traveling and being outdoors with Grandpa. I remember summer trips as a kid to Wisconsin to visit his brothers and family, and to Washington to visit Aunt LaVonne and the cousins. In 2002, Grandpa took our family on a trip to Maine, where we ate huge lobsters with melted butter and searched relentlessly for moose in Acadia National Park. I loved riding the pontoon boat at Namakan Lake with Grandpa at the helm. Namakan is where Grandpa taught me and Heather how to fish, and he was the most patient teacher. I’d watch with awe and fascination as Grandpa skillfully cleaned the fish for our dinner. Maybe most of all, I loved our many special trips to the cabin at Fish Camp, bird watching and taking photographs and making smores on the deck and reading books and playing cards while eating Red Vines. Grandpa was always so good at cards, and it seemed like he almost always won--but we were never sure if it was because he was always the scorekeeper. Grandpa helped give me a magical childhood, and my love of travel and the outdoors definitely come from him.
Grandpa also wore a Cheesehead. Enough said. Go Pack Go.
Now I know that a bow isn’t technically a hat, but a bow usually ended up being placed on his head when we were opening presents, so I think it counts. If Grandpa had a love language, I believe it was gift giving. Grandpa took so much joy in buying gifts for everyone in his life. Many of you have probably been on the receiving end of a sweet gift from Grandpa. Along with Grandma, he was the most generous, giving person I knew. Each Christmas he bought a beautiful piece of jewelry for all the women in the family that he had thoughtfully picked out for each one of us, and when I went away to college Grandpa would send a box of Ghirardelli chocolate brownies to me right before Christmas break during finals week. I know giving gifts was Grandpa’s way of showing how much he cared for us and thought about us. Little did he know that he was the greatest gift of all.
I loved when Grandpa wore his newsboy caps and fedoras because he always looked so dapper. Grandpa was the most tender-hearted gentleman I ever knew. One time Grandma told me that after they first got married, she and her girlfriends would get together to chat, and the girls would inevitably end up complaining about their husbands. They always asked Grandma why she had nothing to say. Grandma just said it was because “she had nothing to complain about.” Grandpa and Grandma were true partners in life. They did everything together, and set the ultimate example of love and selflessness that Daniel and I try to emulate.
One year for his birthday when I was maybe 6, we gave Grandpa a cap that said “World Class Grandpa”—and I’m pretty sure that sums it up. I’m not sure a lot of people can say that their Grandpa was one of their best friends, so I’m very grateful that I had that privilege. I was always so proud to be his granddaughter. Grandpa was always there-- attending every basketball game, birthday party, dance recital, concert, and graduation. His unfailing support for our family was the best example of how to invest in the lives of those you love. And Grandpa loved a lot of people. He was a father, brother, grandfather and friend to so many. His smile and sense of humor had a way of disarming everyone he met. You couldn't help but be happy around Grandpa, and that's probably what I'll miss the most.
Grandpa wore many hats here on earth, but now he wears the best one of all—a radiant halo. He was the best man I ever knew, and his life has forever changed mine.
Some of Grandpa's other hats:
