Skipper Bob and his grandsons Nathan and Justin
Six years ago today, Laura and I visited her father Bob in the hospital. We all talked and joked about the great time we had recently enjoyed as an extended family boating with him in Minnesota. A short time later the room nurse asked us to let him rest, so we ended up next door in a visitors lounge. Suddenly her brother Scott, a hospital nurse there, burst in to tell Laura in tears that their dad had died in Scott’s arms just minutes ago. Bob’s valiant but troubled heart had pumped its last. He died in peace because Scott was there, which we are thankful for.
Bob had been many things to our family — entertainer, supporter, encourager. But my favorite role of his was as “Skipper” which I often called him, and I believe he enjoyed the title. He always had his little Sunfish sailboat “The Bathtub” around. Later he got an American 16-foot sailboat he called “Anticipation” (awesome name!). Then he upgraded to a 19-foot Cape Dory Typhoon, a brand that was self-titled “America’s Smallest Yacht”, which of course he called “Anticipation II”. Every time he had us out in those boats it was pure joy.
So it was hard to say goodbye to the Skipper at his graveside committal service. I sang this song in his honor, and the extended family joined in on the chorus… We miss you, Skipper. But we will see you again when we also reach safe harbor.
SAFE IN THE HARBOR
(music and lyrics by Eric Bogle)Have you stood by the ocean on a diamond-hard morning
And felt the horizon stir deep in your soul?
Watched the wake of a steamer as it cut thru blue water
And been gripped by a fever you just can’t control?
O to throw off the shackles and fly with the seagulls
To where green waves tumble before a driving sea wind
Or to lie on the decking on a warm summer evening
Watch the red sun fall burning beneath the earth’s rim(Chorus:)
But to every sailor comes time to drop anchor
Haul in the sails and make the lines fast
You deep water dreamer, your journey is over
You’re safe in the harbor at last
You’re safe in the harbor at lastSome men are sailors, but most are just dreamers
Held fast by the anchors they forge in their minds
Who in their hearts know they’ll never sail over deep water
To search for a treasure they’re afraid they won’t find
So in sheltered harbours they cling to their anchors
Bank dow their boilers & shut down their steam
And wait for the sailors to return with the bright treasures
That will fan the dull embers & fire up their dreams (Chorus)And some men are schemers who laugh at the dreamers
Take the gold from the sailors & turn it to dross
They’re men in a prison, they’re men without vision
Whose only horizon is profit and loss
So when storm clouds come sailing across your blue ocean
Hold fast to your dreaming for all that you’re worth
For as long as there’s dreamers, there will always be sailors
Bringing back their bright treasures from the corners of earth (Chorus)
As I wrote about 
My dad Larry and my stepmom Char were very involved with the Cedar Falls Community Theatre, including its project to purchase and restore its current home the Oster Regent Theatre. My parents’ commitment to that artistic venue was the reason behind our family’s selection of CFCT (among others) as an appropriate organization to receive memorial gifts in Char’s honor after she passed away. What follows is a tribute to her from CFCT’s General Manager, John Luzaich. It is excerpted from his thank-you letter which I’m sure he mails in response to any memorial donation to the theatre in her honor:
Last Easter I 
This is a symbol I fashioned as a kid, playing with my initials. I recently decided it would work as a logo for this website as well. What do you think?
