Lost my dad...
My father passed away Sunday night at the age of 92. He had been in nursing home for 3+ years suffering from severe dementia, could no longer speak, see or hear... it was time. We lost mom to Parkinson's 3 years ago.
He served 30 years in the Navy, most of those on diesel submarines having earned his Dolphins before I was born and retired as a Master Chief. I post this tribute here as it was dad who introduced me to camping. Being an enlisted man our family had very little money and camping was our great escape.
When I was 9 and my sister just 3 dad bought a used 1960 VW camper bus and it served out family of four very well for years. When not camping in northern Baja we traveled extensively throughout the southwest visiting nearly all of the National Parks. He instilled a love of the outdoors and backed that up with full participation in Scouting serving as a merit badge counselor and assistant scoutmaster.
Between dad and scouting I learned well the lessons of life in the great outdoors and will always be grateful. My bride and I have been RV'ing for 12 years making the usual progression... from pop up {Aliner}, to 22' TT and ultimately to our 24' Class C {Nexus}.
While dad's camping days were history he always enjoyed sharing our adventures and marveling at how far things have come.
I am really going to miss him... sigh.
:(
He served 30 years in the Navy, most of those on diesel submarines having earned his Dolphins before I was born and retired as a Master Chief. I post this tribute here as it was dad who introduced me to camping. Being an enlisted man our family had very little money and camping was our great escape.
When I was 9 and my sister just 3 dad bought a used 1960 VW camper bus and it served out family of four very well for years. When not camping in northern Baja we traveled extensively throughout the southwest visiting nearly all of the National Parks. He instilled a love of the outdoors and backed that up with full participation in Scouting serving as a merit badge counselor and assistant scoutmaster.
Between dad and scouting I learned well the lessons of life in the great outdoors and will always be grateful. My bride and I have been RV'ing for 12 years making the usual progression... from pop up {Aliner}, to 22' TT and ultimately to our 24' Class C {Nexus}.
While dad's camping days were history he always enjoyed sharing our adventures and marveling at how far things have come.
I am really going to miss him... sigh.
:(
