Sharing Uncle Bob for Father's Day

It happened — and so close to Father's Day. My 95-year-old uncle coasted to heaven, having nibbled a grape juice popsicle and asking his daughter to put in his hearing aid so he could listen to his audio book. He never finished the second chapter.

But he absolutely finished life, like the Bible says of Abraham: "Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people." What can you add to that?

Only more years. All who knew Bob wanted him to continue indefinitely. This August, for his annual after-church birthday reception — where he always provided a cake — he'd planned to have it inscribed, "Bob is 96 still swinging his golf sticks!" 

Being a Californian — that was a year-round sport for him. But not this year. Back in January, after he'd driven home and was eating lunch, a shadow fell across his good eye — and just like that, he went blind. He could make out shapes with the "lazy eye" he'd had from childhood. Gone was his ability to focus to read and write, and watch television.

He told me his life had become "compressed." Yes, compared to what it had been, but he compensated in all sorts of ways. Instead of texting, others helped him make phone calls, download audio books, write his checks, and read his mail. 

He kept his signature can-do, cheerful spirit. We were sure this recent hospitalization was just a glitch. The man had stayed overnight in a hospital only once before this. But now there was more to it.

He garnered many accolades in his life. None come close to who he — as a man — was for all of us. My cousin, who is approaching 70, said to me, "Just the idea of no dad on Father's Day knocks me over right now." We all lost, but she and her brother lost big.

He was our patriarch. He checked in with us often; he even hopped a train at age 92 to come see me. He let us know he was praying for us every day. That might seem cliche, but when you have hard stuff going on, knowing someone who trusts in God is taking the time to bring you before Him is nothing to turn down. 

If anyone had a financial emergency, Uncle Bob helped meet it. When his grandson's family visited him last year he rented a Bounce House for their children. He and his wife helped raise that grandson and his brother after their mom found herself unexpectedly alone. If his daughter and son needed him, he was there. 

He was not afraid to die but he told me, "You want to keep going for the family."

Not everyone gets a male presence in their lives like my Uncle Bob. Someone who wants only the best for his loved ones — and backs it up every way he can. Who isn't brimming with lecture and judgment, but who overflows with wisdom and genuine caring. Who stands as a rock in the midst of his family.

A rock with a fancy, recently acquired Norwegian cane and a promo for his genetics. It seems to me just his presence in the world made it a stronger, better place.

For those who need someone like him on Father's Day, I'm sharing my Uncle Bob. He'd be right there wanting the best for you, telling you he's praying for you, believing in your potential, and reaching out with a steadying hand.

There's a blue-eyed glint behind those glasses, a newsboy cap perched atop a rounded Lokkesmoe forehead, and a dashing white mustache above an impish smile. You'd trust him.