My Uncle died yesterday
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My Uncle died yesterday
#1Just 3 months shy of his 100th birthday, my uncle gave up the ghost yesterday. He was like my dad, since I have/had been estranged from my father all my life. Great guy, worked really hard all his life. He took me camping and fishing with his family ever since I was just a little brat. My wife says I still am a brat. He was an avid fisherman. He taught me to fish with worms and eggs; got me a Fenwick glass spinning rod and Garcia reel with a bunch of spinners and spoons. He looked for Trout in the Sierras and Rockies, Perch in the surf in Moss Landing. He never fly fished until I tried to teach him 20 years ago, but he never took to it. He was purely a spin fisher. I was going to say, "that's ok," but that's condescending, huh? He was always fascinated though, that a tiny #20 fly could catch a 20" fish.
He had great stories to tell; like when he was stationed in Japan post WW2. He enlisted in the Army right after he was released from internment in Poston AZ. He was an Intelligence specialist because he could speak Japanese. He didn't smoke so he and his buddies would sell his ration of cigarettes to the Japanese for dollars (he never asked how they got $$$). He was later stationed in Chicago, where I went to school, and we'd always talk about the contrast between California and Lake Michigan weather! He also told me of growing up with his brother (my dad) and they'd gather up the extra, waste gunpowder at the bottom of the fireworks boxes (my grandparents sold fireworks from their general store), make a big pile of it outside and light it. My grandparents wondered why they sometimes had no eyebrows.
I hadn't seen him in over a year, due to Covid. He was in a residential care nursing facility just minutes from me and they had strict rules. I could have flashed my credentials (I'm a physician) to get in, but I didn't. Even his sons and daughter couldn't see him. Maybe I should have been more pushy. Anyway, I saw him for the last time yesterday because he entered Hospice a few days ago. He was comatose, so I didn't know if he could hear our words of encouragement to leave this crap physical world whenever he was ready. I guess he heard.
I was fortunate to have been able to take him camping in the Eastern Sierra with us a few times when my own daughters were growing up. His wife was camped at Manzanar during the war, and it was really "cool" to get to the NPS site there, and see her name on the huge list. She didn't remember everything about the place, but she did point out about where her barracks were when we drove through the site.
Anyway, I'm not the most outwardly emotional guy around, and I just needed to stupidly ramble a bit about a great guy. Life's pretty strange. I hope I've told enough stupid stories to my kids (they audibly groan when I tell them). I'll remember him when I next go fishing.
Dale
He had great stories to tell; like when he was stationed in Japan post WW2. He enlisted in the Army right after he was released from internment in Poston AZ. He was an Intelligence specialist because he could speak Japanese. He didn't smoke so he and his buddies would sell his ration of cigarettes to the Japanese for dollars (he never asked how they got $$$). He was later stationed in Chicago, where I went to school, and we'd always talk about the contrast between California and Lake Michigan weather! He also told me of growing up with his brother (my dad) and they'd gather up the extra, waste gunpowder at the bottom of the fireworks boxes (my grandparents sold fireworks from their general store), make a big pile of it outside and light it. My grandparents wondered why they sometimes had no eyebrows.
I hadn't seen him in over a year, due to Covid. He was in a residential care nursing facility just minutes from me and they had strict rules. I could have flashed my credentials (I'm a physician) to get in, but I didn't. Even his sons and daughter couldn't see him. Maybe I should have been more pushy. Anyway, I saw him for the last time yesterday because he entered Hospice a few days ago. He was comatose, so I didn't know if he could hear our words of encouragement to leave this crap physical world whenever he was ready. I guess he heard.
I was fortunate to have been able to take him camping in the Eastern Sierra with us a few times when my own daughters were growing up. His wife was camped at Manzanar during the war, and it was really "cool" to get to the NPS site there, and see her name on the huge list. She didn't remember everything about the place, but she did point out about where her barracks were when we drove through the site.
Anyway, I'm not the most outwardly emotional guy around, and I just needed to stupidly ramble a bit about a great guy. Life's pretty strange. I hope I've told enough stupid stories to my kids (they audibly groan when I tell them). I'll remember him when I next go fishing.
Dale
- creakycane
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#3Dale, my condolences on your uncle’s passing. Your very interesting and heartfelt portrait is a great testament. Makes me Wish I would have had the pleasure of meeting him.
- flyfishingpastor
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#4Thank you for sharing some memories with us of your uncle. I don't think your sharing with us was "stupidly rambling." I think it was merely sharing some interesting tidbits about someone important in your life. May he rest in peace.
Pat
Pat
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#5Hi Dale
I’m sorry for your loss but glad you have such sweet memories. Your family is in my prayers
Harry
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I’m sorry for your loss but glad you have such sweet memories. Your family is in my prayers
Harry
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#6Thank you for sharing your loss with us, and I'm sorry for it. A long life, well lived.
Best,
John
Best,
John
Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#7Thanks for sharing and glad you have a lot of good memories and stories to take on from here.
- PlaneOldMike
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#8Thank you for sharing your memories with us. It was a very pleasant read. So sorry for your loss. May he find lunkers for eternity.
Just a guy, trying to build a tool.
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#9Dale--
Sorry for you and your family's loss, and thanks for sharing your memories and a great tribute to your Uncle with us.
Sorry for you and your family's loss, and thanks for sharing your memories and a great tribute to your Uncle with us.
Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#10Dale, I’m truly sorry for your loss. What a beautiful life story you’ve shared with us. Your love of the man and his impact on your life speaks volumes of you both. Dwight
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Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#11Dale,
Great words and he will live on in your memory and stories.
Sorry for your loss,
Ed
Great words and he will live on in your memory and stories.
Sorry for your loss,
Ed
Previously known as bamboocollector11
Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#12Thanks all for your kind thoughts. I'm not a particularly religious person, but I do believe that he's in a better state now.
Dale
Dale
Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#13A very moving memorial. I am, very sorry for your loss.
God bless
God bless
“He told us about Christ's disciples being fishermen, and we were left to assume, as my brother and I did, that all first-class fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were fly fishermen and that John, the favorite, was a dry-fly fisherman.”
Norman Maclean
Norman Maclean
Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#14Well said...and keep telling your kids stories. I wish my own father shared more.
Re: My Uncle died yesterday
#15Very nice tribute to someone who sounds like an interesting man. I too have felt self-conscious when posting about the loss of a loved one, but it can be very beneficial, not just to you but in the insight it gives others about life in general.