So what do I say about the man who taught me the following important life lessons?

1.  The best way to clean under your fingernails is to wash your hair
2.  The best kind of fishing includes a bucket of KFC

Of course Dad taught me many more important things, but those are two of my everyday favorites.

I wish I had a dollar for every dollar Dad has saved other people by fixing things for them.  I guess I do have a dollar for every dollar he’s saved fixing my cars.  Family and friends call him up and ask his opinion on some problem they are having, and he cheerfully gives advice or offers to have a look at it himself.  Do you remember that sentimental scene in Apollo 13 when Jim Lovell’s mom comforts his children by saying, “If they could get a washing machine to fly, my Jimmy could land it.”  Well, if you can put an engine on it, Dad can make it run.

I once put an after-market cruise control on a pickup truck.  It worked, but only barely.  I’d lose ten miles per hour going up a small hill.  The next time I was at my parents’ house (arriving late at night) Dad came outside in his pajamas to greet me.  I mentioned the problem so he asked me to pop the hood.  Using only his bare hands and a golf tee he diagnosed a vacuum line problem and fixed whatever mistake I’d made in about 5 minutes.

I like to think I’m pretty handy with home and auto repairs, but it’s only because I picked up maybe half of Dad’s ability.

Was Dad influential in other areas of my life?  He’s an electrical engineer.  So am I.  I used to tease him about how my college GPA was 0.1 higher than his, but realized that wasn’t fair considering that while he was in school he married Mom, then they had me, AND (oh by the way) he worked a full-time job.

During my first electrical circuits class I has a professor who was a sharp guy with almost zero teaching aptitude, and interpersonal skills to match.  I struggled with circuits right off the bat and was frustrated.  Then my parents came for a visit and I showed Dad the stuff that had me confused.  Ten minutes later, I understood completely.

Dear Dr. Brown,
Remember me?  I’m the one you smirked at when you found out I was on the track team.  You told me that athletics and engineering don’t mix.  You once taunted me for missing both problems on a pop quiz and getting a zero.  If your memory is in fact good enough to remember me, maybe you’ll also remember who ended up with the highest grade in your class that semester because his Dad taught him what you could not.  Not that I am bitter neener neener neener.
Mark

So now Dad has been retired a few years.  He teaches Sunday School and still plays on the church softball team.  Does he have any other activities that might keep his engineering and handy-man skills sharp?  Check this out:

I should mention that he built that plane himself.  Those who know him best won’t be surprised to hear it runs like a top.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!