First, I want to thank my mom and sister for everything they did over the last 9 months for dad, whether it was talking to doctors or simply praying for him, I know it was all a great source of comfort to him. Second, I want to thank Kim and Scott who have really supported Shannon and me so much. We couldn't have gotten through this without them. My dad was a caring and attentive grandfather, and he will always be on all of our minds as our children go through their milestones. One of my favorite quotes to live by is one that I shared with Dad a few years ago, and I believe is reflective of his search for understanding and insight, as well as the strong moral center that guided him on his path. Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. This is easier said than done, of course. I know that personally I could be watching just about all of those a bit better. And if you have witnessed my dad on a bad golf day, or trying to assemble something that came with poorly written instructions, you know he certainly could have his moments. The paradox of my dad is that although he could get worked up at small things, he handled the arc of a vast life with grace and humility. What really impresses me about him is that despite adversity in his life - his parents divorced, he lost a brother in Vietnam, and another brother to addiction, he persevered, and without complaint. By way of one very smart decision - marrying a woman who would be the driving positive force in his world - they forged a successful, full life. There are so many good stories and memories, such as the time when I drove a car by myself for the first time. When I made it back to the house successfully after an hour on the open road, my dad cut off the back of my shirt and wrote "solo flight" on it, with the date. Or the time when he built me a treehouse in the backyard in south Carolina, which actually was just a platform, we never got around to putting walls up, but I thought it was so cool - my dad built a treehouse. And then there was the time I broke his car windshield when I punched it when it wouldn't start on prom night, so my best friend ended up taking my date home (they later got married by the way). Dad was kind enough to just say "you're going to have to pay for that you know." Finally, there's a story that was just a moment in time, but for me, a memorable one. I was on the swim team around age 10, and had made it into some kind of competition at the end of the season. Unfortunately I was sick for the entire week leading up to the race, so when I swam my lap I was seconds off my usual time. As I was getting out of the pool I looked at the guy with the timer and asked "how was it?" And he said "Terrible, son, just terrible." Of course I was crushed and demoralized. So I went down to where my parents were and started crying and said "I was terrible, even the guy told me I was terrible." My dad looks at me and says "Who said you were terrible?!" So we march back up to the pool and I point the guy out (who I'm sure couldn't imagine he had secured a place in this eulogy) and my dad approaches him and starts berating him: "What is wrong with you, my son has been sick all week, now you apologize to my son." And the man did, sincerely. What a hero. Justice had been served. Fairness restored. Who knows, maybe the guy even went home, reflected on it, and changed his ways. Challenging moments like that give people a chance to show their character, and the impact my dad had on the world is the sum of countless small gestures such as this. They were in his character - built from his habits, his actions, his words, and his thoughts. We'll miss you dad.