I had the chance to spend a lot of time with my dad during his latest trip around the sun. And trust me, I never take it for granted after going several years where I would only see him a couple times every 12 months. It is a blessing to live in the same county as him.

Stuffing my face with pizza while hanging with my dad this past fall.

But back to the time spent together during his stint as a 67-year-old. We attended games, sailed on a cruise, celebrated holidays, worshipped at church, chowed down at restaurants, drank beers on the deck, and much more.

My dad and I on the cruise in April…we had a lot of fun!

Perhaps my favorite memory with him though occurred shortly after his birthday. On my last day at Washington State University, he traveled with me to Pullman. He walked around campus while I took care of business and handed in my equipment/lap top/phone. Once all the formalities had played out, I invited him to my office. He hung out with me for those last few minutes and then helped me carry my few boxes to the vehicle.

I took this photo of my dad in my old WSU office a couple moments before we walked out for the last time.

What made such a seemingly mundane moment so special? I think it was the fact that I got to have him by my side as a I closed a chapter of my life. Taking the job at WSU was a nice career progression but more importantly it re-united me with my parents and siblings. After living out-of-state for 15 years, it was nice to return to Washington. It was also really nice to work at my dad’s alma mater. He earned his undergraduate degree at WSU and he bleeds crimson and gray. His pride for the Cougs rubbed off on me when I was a kid. Taking a job at WAZZU was cool for both of us. Ending my tenure by walking off campus with him just seemed fitting.

My dad and I pose for a photo inside the Field House prior to a WSU game. He is a true Coug.

And the burgers and shakes at Cougar Country before we left Pullman was the cherry on top. 😋

The burgers we had at Cougar Country were good but so was this turkey my dad carved during Thanksgiving 2024.

I want to wish my dad a very happy 68th birthday. I am grateful for all he does for me and my family. I admire how he fills his days when he is not around grandchildren by volunteering for Hospice and the local food bank. If that wasn’t enough, you won’t find a better event management staffer when you encounter him at a sporting event or concert. But even if you stripped away his grandfather duties, his service to the community, and his many retirement activities, one thing would still remain: an incredibly awesome human being.

My dad working an EWU football game as part of his gig with Allied Universal event management.

Cheers, dad! Don’t Blink.