What a beautiful tribute to your father. It is wonderful when family members cherish each other, and it sounds like there was much to cherish. My condolences.
Thank you, Mary. I was without a doubt extremely fortunate to have such a father. The dysfunction of children not loved properly results in tragedy for everyone, as we see at world scale. It's such an obvious problem on the surface, but seemingly without any easy remedies. So glad you get something worthwhile from my work.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational dad, which reminded me of my own. My sisters and I often remark about winning the parent lottery, dust bowl depression kids who knew how to make a dime do a dollar's work, always with the utmost integrity. It's been 13 years since the old man passed, but he is still teaching me things.
Geoff: I am so sorry for your father's passing. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of your father's circle of friends and admirers. He was so kind and giving. My husband and I met your Dad and Mom through a Yoga class, not one for seniors! He and your wonderful Mom were never afraid to give it their best. My husband is a Potter and Painter. Your Dad offered to have him join the Painting class at the Valley Art Center (no charge). It was a small thing exemplifying his kindness followed by many others. I often felt like I was having dinner in an art museum when we met at your parent's place. His quiet never-ending creativity, passion, intelligence, and courteous goodwill to others made a difference to many. Thank you for your gift of writing about a wonderful man who will be missed greatly.
Geoffrey, I understand your ache, as I lost my father relatively young. There is saying that the time heals what mind cannot. That's how life happens. You have written a beautiful article about your father.
Thank you, Robert. He was honored at the art center with a retrospective of his work a few years ago. 90 pieces were exhibited and old friends and colleagues came from afar in addition to his current students and local community. His painting and growth in retirement was remarkable. I was thrilled that happened for him.
“I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough.”
My Dad played the piano a bit—I went for the guitar and later my great grandfather’s fiddle. Around this time of year he would sit down and play one of his favourite songs, White Christmas, and I learned to accompany him on the guitar. It is a favourite memory of mine.
It sounds to me like you have a great storehouse of memories with your Dad too.
Thanks, Perry. My father always put the students and best faculty members first, deeply believing in the essentialness of good education. This often put him at odds with board members and tenured faculty, who were doing the bare minimum to collect their paychecks. Little doubt the struggle he witnessed of his own family put him in that janitor's corner.
Your Dad sounds like an amazing man. Isn’t it a wonderful thing having a father who is so great and to love like that and be loved equally in return. The trump types of the world will never know that feeling nor the high esteem of feeling fortunate, by the quality and love of a parent. They are truly the losers because we have something that they can’t even fathom.
Bud was a wonderful, caring friend and Bob and I enjoyed his and your mom's companionship for many years. He will be very missed. His passing has left a very large hole in our hearts.
Thank you, Jane. The turnout for and conversations I had at his memorial were bitter-sweet. Wherever he went, he built communities and friendships that lasted lifetimes. Integrity comes at a price, but rewards as well.
You undersold your dad for his artistic talent. What a knockout on top of the knockouts about his fathering. We both were lucky that they were so good at what they did and that they believed in us.
Here's mine: On My Heroic Dad’s Birthday: https://theconversation.org/on-my-heroic-dads-birthday. One quote from it about his "talent": "When my dad died, they closed all the courthouses in Nassau County, Long Island, for half a day in his honor."
His talent as an artist was amazing, but his generosity and fairness were what made him an outstanding human being. We're incredibly fortunate when we grow up with parents we can admire as adults.
"It’s only from experiencing struggle and pain, or at least recognizing the struggles of others, that we can achieve wisdom and compassion, essential qualities seemingly in retreat in the world today." Geoffrey Deihl in honor of his father
What a beautiful tribute to your father. It is wonderful when family members cherish each other, and it sounds like there was much to cherish. My condolences.
Thank you, Maria. He was special and his loss will be felt by many.
Thank you, Mary. I was without a doubt extremely fortunate to have such a father. The dysfunction of children not loved properly results in tragedy for everyone, as we see at world scale. It's such an obvious problem on the surface, but seemingly without any easy remedies. So glad you get something worthwhile from my work.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational dad, which reminded me of my own. My sisters and I often remark about winning the parent lottery, dust bowl depression kids who knew how to make a dime do a dollar's work, always with the utmost integrity. It's been 13 years since the old man passed, but he is still teaching me things.
I'm glad it gave you reflection of your own father. The people we love are always part of us.
Thank you for bringing us into this achingly personal moment. Your tribute honours you both. Men of deep integrity.
Thanks, Margi.
Geoff: I am so sorry for your father's passing. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of your father's circle of friends and admirers. He was so kind and giving. My husband and I met your Dad and Mom through a Yoga class, not one for seniors! He and your wonderful Mom were never afraid to give it their best. My husband is a Potter and Painter. Your Dad offered to have him join the Painting class at the Valley Art Center (no charge). It was a small thing exemplifying his kindness followed by many others. I often felt like I was having dinner in an art museum when we met at your parent's place. His quiet never-ending creativity, passion, intelligence, and courteous goodwill to others made a difference to many. Thank you for your gift of writing about a wonderful man who will be missed greatly.
Thank you, Pam. He was a rare combination of intelligence, talent, and humility. I feel fortunate to have had him and happy he found this community.
You are very fortunate to have had such a father. Sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Rick. I was absolutely fortunate.
Geoffrey, I understand your ache, as I lost my father relatively young. There is saying that the time heals what mind cannot. That's how life happens. You have written a beautiful article about your father.
Thank you, Ante. I am fortunate he lived to be old, and doing the things he loved until the end. I am a sorry to hear you lost yours young.
A beautiful and heartfelt tribute with some remarkable paintings as well. I'm sure he was gratified and proud to have a son who writes so well.
Thank you, Robert. He was honored at the art center with a retrospective of his work a few years ago. 90 pieces were exhibited and old friends and colleagues came from afar in addition to his current students and local community. His painting and growth in retirement was remarkable. I was thrilled that happened for him.
I'm so very sorry for your loss😢 My sincerest condolences💕 Your father reminds me of mine.
Thank you. We were both very fortunate then.
Aye.
Beautiful. It is crystal clear that the apple in fact dropped precisely to the base of the tree. I often reflect on my own father similarly.
May I offer you this musical tribute from Dan Foglelberg, The Leader of the Band?
https://youtu.be/CWnk7JDEVIw
Thank you, a lovely song by a musician my father appreciated and lamented for the brevity of his life.
“I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough.”
My Dad played the piano a bit—I went for the guitar and later my great grandfather’s fiddle. Around this time of year he would sit down and play one of his favourite songs, White Christmas, and I learned to accompany him on the guitar. It is a favourite memory of mine.
It sounds to me like you have a great storehouse of memories with your Dad too.
I do, but don't we always long for one more? Glad you have good memories, too.
Thanks, Perry. My father always put the students and best faculty members first, deeply believing in the essentialness of good education. This often put him at odds with board members and tenured faculty, who were doing the bare minimum to collect their paychecks. Little doubt the struggle he witnessed of his own family put him in that janitor's corner.
Lovely piece, Geoff. My father, an artist, taught me to play chess when I was 5. We played every night, I beat him when I was 12.
Hi Alex. Alex I knew on Twitter?
One and the same. Still running the Climate Crisis Club.
Your Dad sounds like an amazing man. Isn’t it a wonderful thing having a father who is so great and to love like that and be loved equally in return. The trump types of the world will never know that feeling nor the high esteem of feeling fortunate, by the quality and love of a parent. They are truly the losers because we have something that they can’t even fathom.
I really have been enjoying your newsletters..
Beautifully said, Geoff.
Bud was a wonderful, caring friend and Bob and I enjoyed his and your mom's companionship for many years. He will be very missed. His passing has left a very large hole in our hearts.
Thank you, Jane. The turnout for and conversations I had at his memorial were bitter-sweet. Wherever he went, he built communities and friendships that lasted lifetimes. Integrity comes at a price, but rewards as well.
You undersold your dad for his artistic talent. What a knockout on top of the knockouts about his fathering. We both were lucky that they were so good at what they did and that they believed in us.
Here's mine: On My Heroic Dad’s Birthday: https://theconversation.org/on-my-heroic-dads-birthday. One quote from it about his "talent": "When my dad died, they closed all the courthouses in Nassau County, Long Island, for half a day in his honor."
His talent as an artist was amazing, but his generosity and fairness were what made him an outstanding human being. We're incredibly fortunate when we grow up with parents we can admire as adults.
"It’s only from experiencing struggle and pain, or at least recognizing the struggles of others, that we can achieve wisdom and compassion, essential qualities seemingly in retreat in the world today." Geoffrey Deihl in honor of his father