My grandfather...a heck of a fighter pilot; a combat veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam war; an academic; a blue-collar roll-up your sleeves and get the job/mission done kind of man; a loving and inspirational great-grandfather, grandfather, father, brother, husband and son; a natural and instinctive leader you would charge a hill for, a caring and passionate mentor who always had the right words to say when you needed to hear it, a pretty darn good golfer, a heck of a fisherman, and simply a great human being to man and dog!  

I will miss you grandpa! I am so thankful to have had you in my life. I am also extremely thankful to you and Grandma for bringing into this world my stepmother Anne!  She has so much of you in her...her strength, her selflessness, her compassion, and her wit.  I continue to strive to be like you as well. Your voice is still in my head saying “Life is easy man”! , with a big smile. I still try to do that...to step back from things and put things into perspective. I will treasure all the memories of shrimping with Old Milwaukee, flying around Alabama, golfing with you, you giving me my commissioning oath into the USAF, my numerous visits to you while driving across country, and our wondersful telephone calls. Love you grandpa...until we see each other again...