Richard Radtke

My Father



Posted: Thursday, June 03, 2010

by Richard Radtke
http://www.cottagebythelane.com

My Father was a large man, at least as I remember him, he has been gone now for over nine years. His arms it seemed were strong enough to lift almost anything, of course I suppose through the eyes of a ten year old everyone seemed large, but my father was bigger than life. I can still see him out there working away in his garden, in the hot afternoon sun, the sweat running down his creased, wind-burned face. He grew up on a farm north of Akron, Iowa, and worked the fields after school. When he was fifteen or sixteen, I can't really recall exactly, he went out on his own and worked as a cook for the construction crews, building the Alaskan highway. Shortly after that World War Two started and dad enlisted in the navy, spending his time aboard the submarine, "U.S.S. Balao", in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Maybe that is where his skin became so wind-blown, or perhaps it was the work in the fields of his youth. I'm sure the muscle's were at least started on their growth in the farm fields of Iowa, but reached their peak on the waves of the Pacific.

I don't recall dad ever talking much about his youth on the farm as though it was something he was ashamed of, the war we all heard about in bits and pieces, usually told to us through eyes that were misty with tears, and the voice suddenly cracking at the end. There was no glory there for him only long, lonely days of patrol, broken by moments of terror that lasted an eternity, and of friends that died, during and since, although I think everyone that served died just a little. For him the war was not glory and god, but the actions of a teenager praying to live through it and then get home.

Dad didn't go to college, but by the same token he was much smarter than many that have. He had his own values and morals, something that so many of people seem to lack these days. He believed in work and that stealing was wrong. He would give the shirt off of his back to help when he could, because as he used to say, "what goes around, comes around."

He begrudged no one their own good fortune, indeed he was there to congratulate them, and when some one felt the hand of tragedy touch upon their life, he was there to do what he could. His children and family came first, many times to his own detriment. He was a man, perhaps not any better than any before him, and after, but I will feel myself fulfilled if I can be like him.

Authors note: For anyone interested there is a Balao Tribute on youtube, I put up up months ago search for "balaotribute", not trying to sell anything, just enjoyed doing the video.

Richard R. Radtke lives in Northwest Iowa. Over the years he has been a marine, an editor of a Daily newspaper, a contractor, a purchasing agent. He has worked in Emergency Medical Services for a number of years as an EMT-B and will soon be a paramedic. He has two grown sons, one of whom is married and they have a 6 month old daughter. Richard has a lovely wife. Together he and his wife own and publish four hometown newspapers, that are published weekly. The company is now expanding its job printing business into full color print on demand services for books and booklets.

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 358 days ago.
153 fans.
Your father sounds like a wonderful man, one on whom life imprinted deeply.
» left by Hilda Cang
 1 year 355 days ago.
60 fans.
Like father like son - if not 100%, at least may be 90% you would take after your dear Old Man. That is to say, Richard , you are a good guy (good son) why because you put the past which happened around the family in words to remember , fondly , clearly !
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