Father’s Day is just around the corner, so I’ve been ruminating on Dads. Now before I start I must confess something – God blessed me with a great Dad, Don Dahl, and with a great Grandfather, J. Harold Tower. Knowing these men made my trip through life much easier.

Dad has been gone for a while; however, he is often in my thoughts, perhaps more since he passed than before. A mild-mannered Junior High School teacher, Dad’s example molded three generations of children; thousands of future Doctors, Scientists, Engineers, and Teachers. It was in his class that these young men and women first encountered the Scientific Method.

I suspect, however, that his lasting legacy is his life example (see Sputnik and a Cactus Named Bob). Even today, when facing a tough decision, I wonder what Dad would do. Now to be sure, Dad’s influence was just one aspect of the success of his students, yet I believe it set many of them on the correct path.

Dad’s path began under the tutelage of his Dad, Nicholas, a stereotypical stoic German farmer. Grandpa Dahl was as quiet as Dad was talkative. In fact, I remember few conversations with him, as he was always working, or watching the White Sox. Non-verbally, however, Grandpa Dahl spoke volumes. As poor as he was, he worked hard to provide for his family, regularly attended church, and in my presence never spoke ill of anyone.

The the other primary influence on my Dad was Mom’s Dad, J. Harold Tower. Long before Mom and Dad dated, Grandfather Tower hired Dad to help around the farm. Grandfather needed help since his full-time job was education. He began teaching school in the 1920’s,  became a school Principal, and then County Superintendent of Schools (see Willie Started It!, Advice From The Third Hollar, and Safe From the Picklocks of History). Grandfather’s calm, steady approach to life set an excellent life example for his students, his children, and his grandchildren.

 

The other day, I was reading about the life of Winston Churchill, and it struck me that several of his quotes could’ve come from Dad, or from Grandfather.

“Never, never, never give in!”

– Winston Churchill

For years, as Dad coached cross-country, track, and wrestling, his coaching focus was not winning,  it was more important to finish the race and meet your individual goal. He wanted his charges to do their best, to never give up (see Not Everyone Can Win).  In this, he showed us how to set personal goals in life.

Dad, the ultimate optimist, had a knack for finding the good or humorous in all situations. He could always find something nice to say.

Dad believed that how we looked on life was a personal choice. We could choose to look on the bright side of things or to dwell on the dark side.  It is that choice that determines who we become.

Often life hands us difficult tasks. When it does, it is our duty to tackle and finish them, regardless of how difficult or distasteful they might be. Dad’s generation, often called the Greatest Generation, exemplified this sense of duty. These men and women made great sacrifices to restore order to the world. They returned to make a better world, raise their families, and silently go about their business.

Two examples come to mind. My Sister’s father-in-law, a doctor, served in a field hospital in Normandy. He returned home to become a beloved small town doctor. The father of a high school chum served in a tank unit during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home to became the local scoutmaster and quietly molded future leaders.  My Dad worked on the farm before shipping off to the Philippines.

His generation had a hardwired sense of duty, a duty to their God, their Country, and their family. Sadly, a trait that seems to be lacking today. I’m not saying that it doesn’t exist; it’s just not as widespread as it once was.

Perhaps Dad’s most memorable aspect was his humor. Known for his bad puns, and silly jokes, I believe Dad would have loved this last Churchill quote.

In the end, isn’t the ability to smile and laugh our most valuable life tool? After all, none of us is getting out of here alive.

_____

David L Dahl

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