My father

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staropeace

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
GNTLGNT said:
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Oh that is so thoughtful, Scott.
 
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FlakeNoir

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Checkman said:
My father passed away on August 16th, 2016. At 8:00 A.M. He was getting dressed, collapsed and he was gone. He was seventy-two. No warning. He was scared of a long drawn out illness so this is what he wanted. He was a Vietnam veteran and served as a police officer for approximately twenty-four years (1970-1994). I got the call an hour after his death when dispatch told me to call my wife ASAP. Of course I knew instantly something had happened. I left work, we packed a few suitcases and took off. I live in western Idaho which is approximately a five hour drive from where my parents live in Eastern Idaho so we had some time to process before we arrived. Probably a good thing.

Right now very busy. Mom told me to take care of dad's gun collection and all of the various accoutrements. I spent five hours last night sorting things out and I'm still not done. So much stuff. Reloading equipment, ammo, stocks, leather gear, carrying cases, parts and pieces. Then there are all the photographs and hats and coffee cups. He even held onto the program from my high school graduation back in 1986 as well as every single school issued ID card I had from 7th grade to 12th grade. Every one.

Amazing how much a person can accumulate over 72 years and I'm coming across the most astounding things. For example dad saved everyone of my school issued ID cards going back to seventh grade. Everyone! I even found a faded copy of the program from my high school graduation on June 3, 1986. The memories are everywhere. Mom and dad have lived in their house since the spring of 1975. In the driveway dad wrote Jeff 1975 when the concrete was still wet. That same day we went and saw "The Sting" at a local drive-in. I guess I'm either cursed or blessed with a very strange memory for oddball details. I also remember going to the drive-in with my folks in 1975 to see "The Towering Inferno". Money was tight and the drive-in showed the big movies on their second or third go around (pre-VHS/streaming don't you know) and they were cheaper. I've always loved movies so instead of sleeping mom and dad had to deal with a chatty seven year old who would watch "both" features". Can you imagine driving home at 1:00 A.M. with a hyper seven year old? LOL. The memories are everywhere.
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I am so sorry for your loss, your post touched my heart. ((( Checkman )))
May he RIP...
 
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Nomik

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
3,973
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Derry, NH
Thank you for sharing that thoughtful, well composed homage to your father's memory. I had no idea that you graduated in 86' and yes, I can imagine how riveting that drive must have been. Take your time, trust your instincts about what to keep and what to part with. If you have someone to process this with, the burden is not yours alone to bear.
 
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mjs9153

mjs9153

Peripherally known member..
Nov 21, 2014
3,494
22,165
Great memories of your dad..may he rest in peace,the thin blue line is a little less without him here..but obviously you have taken his place,and know he must be so proud of you..hang in there sir..
 
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Neesy

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Checkman said:
My father passed away on August 16th, 2016. At 8:00 A.M. He was getting dressed, collapsed and he was gone. He was seventy-two. No warning. He was scared of a long drawn out illness so this is what he wanted. He was a Vietnam veteran and served as a police officer for approximately twenty-four years (1970-1994). I got the call an hour after his death when dispatch told me to call my wife ASAP. Of course I knew instantly something had happened. I left work, we packed a few suitcases and took off. I live in western Idaho which is approximately a five hour drive from where my parents live in Eastern Idaho so we had some time to process before we arrived. Probably a good thing.

Right now very busy. Mom told me to take care of dad's gun collection and all of the various accoutrements. I spent five hours last night sorting things out and I'm still not done. So much stuff. Reloading equipment, ammo, stocks, leather gear, carrying cases, parts and pieces. Then there are all the photographs and hats and coffee cups. He even held onto the program from my high school graduation back in 1986 as well as every single school issued ID card I had from 7th grade to 12th grade. Every one.

Amazing how much a person can accumulate over 72 years and I'm coming across the most astounding things. For example dad saved everyone of my school issued ID cards going back to seventh grade. Everyone! I even found a faded copy of the program from my high school graduation on June 3, 1986. The memories are everywhere. Mom and dad have lived in their house since the spring of 1975. In the driveway dad wrote Jeff 1975 when the concrete was still wet. That same day we went and saw "The Sting" at a local drive-in. I guess I'm either cursed or blessed with a very strange memory for oddball details. I also remember going to the drive-in with my folks in 1975 to see "The Towering Inferno". Money was tight and the drive-in showed the big movies on their second or third go around (pre-VHS/streaming don't you know) and they were cheaper. I've always loved movies so instead of sleeping mom and dad had to deal with a chatty seven year old who would watch "both" features". Can you imagine driving home at 1:00 A.M. with a hyper seven year old? LOL. The memories are everywhere.
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Sorry to hear about your Dad - mine is gone too and I can sympathize with your thoughts right now. It sounds like his whole world revolved around you - you were lucky to have a Dad like that who loved you so much :burn_joss_stick:

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Agincourt Concierge

Agincourt Concierge

Far and Away Member
Sep 10, 2008
6,759
10,368
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the Wastelands
Checkman said:
My father passed away on August 16th, 2016. At 8:00 A.M. He was getting dressed, collapsed and he was gone. He was seventy-two. No warning. He was scared of a long drawn out illness so this is what he wanted. He was a Vietnam veteran and served as a police officer for approximately twenty-four years (1970-1994). I got the call an hour after his death when dispatch told me to call my wife ASAP. Of course I knew instantly something had happened. I left work, we packed a few suitcases and took off. I live in western Idaho which is approximately a five hour drive from where my parents live in Eastern Idaho so we had some time to process before we arrived. Probably a good thing.

Right now very busy. Mom told me to take care of dad's gun collection and all of the various accoutrements. I spent five hours last night sorting things out and I'm still not done. So much stuff. Reloading equipment, ammo, stocks, leather gear, carrying cases, parts and pieces. Then there are all the photographs and hats and coffee cups. He even held onto the program from my high school graduation back in 1986 as well as every single school issued ID card I had from 7th grade to 12th grade. Every one.

Amazing how much a person can accumulate over 72 years and I'm coming across the most astounding things. For example dad saved everyone of my school issued ID cards going back to seventh grade. Everyone! I even found a faded copy of the program from my high school graduation on June 3, 1986. The memories are everywhere. Mom and dad have lived in their house since the spring of 1975. In the driveway dad wrote Jeff 1975 when the concrete was still wet. That same day we went and saw "The Sting" at a local drive-in. I guess I'm either cursed or blessed with a very strange memory for oddball details. I also remember going to the drive-in with my folks in 1975 to see "The Towering Inferno". Money was tight and the drive-in showed the big movies on their second or third go around (pre-VHS/streaming don't you know) and they were cheaper. I've always loved movies so instead of sleeping mom and dad had to deal with a chatty seven year old who would watch "both" features". Can you imagine driving home at 1:00 A.M. with a hyper seven year old? LOL. The memories are everywhere.
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Sorry for you loss. Funny thing, my Dad passed 1/21/15, he was fine one minute, gone the next. He was a 32 year veteran police officer. Had to go through the same thing, getting rid of guns (Hard to do in Mass.) looking for hidden spots to keep bullets etc. When my mom passed, we had to clean the house and the things you find after 49+ years of marriage.... actually quite interesting. Leaves a big hole when your parents are gone ... especially when they pass so suddenly.
 
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Checkman

Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
Agincourt Concierge said:
Sorry for you loss. Funny thing, my Dad passed 1/21/15, he was fine one minute, gone the next. He was a 32 year veteran police officer. Had to go through the same thing, getting rid of guns (Hard to do in Mass.) looking for hidden spots to keep bullets etc. When my mom passed, we had to clean the house and the things you find after 49+ years of marriage.... actually quite interesting. Leaves a big hole when your parents are gone ... especially when they pass so suddenly.
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Over the past few years I have been thinking about it (grudgingly), but when the day arrives you're still caught flatfooted.
 
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jcadams

jcadams

Well-Known Member
Nov 3, 2009
557
204
Checkman, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I lost my mom pretty suddenly also and I get what you're saying about the drive. I remember wanting to get there as fast as possible and also hoping to never arrive. You have a loving and concerned family here with us and I hope we can help you if needed.
 
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