Known to thousands of Union College students as Crazy Frank and later in his life as the Silver Fox, my father was a professor of psychology known for his innovative teaching methods and courses. He often held classes in Jackson Garden, lecturing from the branches of a Ginko tree.
A true Renaissance man, my father was as athletic as he was intellectual. I don’t think he ever watched a single sporting event on TV but he remained physically active to the very end of his life.
My father remained a child at heart throughout his life. He related equally well to people of all ages but nothing gave him as much pleasure as playing with children. His creativity led to the invention of countless games and activities which will long be remembered by his nine grandchildren.
My father loved music and was a life long student of the guitar. What he lacked in natural musical talent (the gift of his brother, Ernie, a professional musician) he made up for with disciplined practice and hard work. He loved the fact that Kyle shared this interest with him.
No single theme better defined my father’s life than dance. This photo is from the the cover of his book, “Let it Be a Dance”. He financed his college education by teaching ballroom dancing, it is how he met my mother, and it has been their life long passion as a couple.
Above all else, my father loved and adored my mother. He often told me how lucky he felt to have married such a talented and beautiful woman. He was indeed lucky in love.
The first person in his family line to attend college, he went on to earn a PhD. I grew up understanding the importance of an education and working hard to achieve goals.
My father lived a passionate life. It ended peacefully this morning at his home after 87 years. To know my father was to know joy and laughter, to feel entirely loved, and to understand the beauty of a life lived well.
Maya demonstrates an articulating forearm camera mounting system I fabricated. The camera is mounted to a hinge which is attached to two straps which secure the contraption to the forearm. I am scheduled to go sky diving this week and devised this apparatus so I could take aerial photographs while under the canopy. The camera lies flat on my forearm when not deployed and can quickly be moved into a number of different shooting positions. It remains to be seen if I will be allowed to fly with this rig.
The family celebrated my 52nd birthday today. Jeanine and I were traveling to Wyoming on the actual date (September 29th). Hannah joined us for the dinner celebration which included all of my favorites prepared from scratch by my loving wife (mozzarella and homegrown tomatoes with basil, red spinach salad with pears and bacon bits, chicken pot pie, and a cheesecake topped with raspberries). A more enjoyable day I cannot remember.
A perfect fall day was enjoyed to the maximum. My soccer game this morning resulted in a 1-1 tie. I picked up our only goal by throwing my body into a rebound and playing it into the net off my abdomen (first time I have ever scored this way). Later in the day Jeanine and I drove through Groton, Pepperell and Hollis where fall color was near peak. Autumn is my favorite season and such excursions nourish my soul.
After taking care of several chores around the house I went out in search of fall color. Unfortunately the high winds and heavily overcast skies did not lend themselves to good landscape photography. I did come across a huge patch of pumpkins and was able to find a large boulder from which to photograph them
It is too cold for the sun porch so Kyle and a group of his friends retreat to the dining room for an evening of poker. As I checked in throughout the tournament the sunglasses made their way around the table doing little to enhance the fortunes of the wearer. I thought the juxtaposition of the portrait of Kyle as a child made this photo more interesting than the group shots I took.