Reflecting on My Dad’s Life and Legacy

I want to tell you about my dad who breathed his last breath on October 11, 2023.

His life wasn’t flashy or extravagant but it was lived with consistency, character, and care for people.

For those of you who knew him, you have your own story to tell. As I remember him, I reflect on the difference he made in so many people’s lives. He was an ordinary man whose example we can learn from and be inspired by.

Dad’s Favorite Movie: Mr. Holland’s Opus

One of dad’s favorite movies was Mr. Holland’s Opus. He liked it because he could relate to the story of Mr. Holland who struggled through his life and career to feel like he was making a difference. When one of his students, Gertrude Lang, came back to the final assembly they had for him, her words re-framed the true impact of his life in living color.

Mr. Holland had a profound influence on my life and on a lot of lives I know. But I have a feeling that he considers a great part of his own life misspent. Rumor had it he was always working on this symphony of his. And this was going to make him famous, rich, probably both. But Mr. Holland isn't rich and he isn't famous, at least not outside of our little town. So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure. But he would be wrong, because I think that he's achieved a success far beyond riches and fame. Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life. — Gertrude Lang

The Difference Dad Made

As I think of dad’s life, he didn’t amass large sums of money or become famous outside the circle of friends and family who knew him. What he did do was achieve a success far beyond riches and fame.

Dad touched more lives than even he knew. He was rich in spirit, faithful in life, and dedicated to the work he was called to do. He gave personal attention to people, loved his family more than even we knew, and never wavered from his faith in the God who loved him and walked with him.

Dad used his hands to turn rough logs into pieces of art and hold a paint brush with perfect steadiness. He used his eyes to see a friend in need and look for a way to use his life to influence another.

Dad used his mouth to offer encouragement, instruction, direction, and hope. He used his time to invest it in the development and growth of his kids. He used his money to support his family, God’s work, a friend in need, and do it with frugality and thoughtfulness.

Dad used his mind to analyze and weigh every decision — then act accordingly. He used his heart to love my mom and be present for us kids. He used his feet to walk into people’s lives, listen to their story, and say an encouraging word. He used his ears to listen to the stories of others.

I asked my dad a few years ago how he would define success. After some thought, he said, “Success is making a difference in people’s lives, maintaining healthy relationships with everyone and being an encourager so that at the end of your life, you know you have influenced some to make heaven their eternal home.”

Final Thought

Dad life on earth is done. But his memory and impact remain. He did make a difference in people’s lives, maintained healthy relationships, encouraged people often, and influenced people to put their faith and trust in Jesus in order to secure a heavenly home.

When I wrote Dad’s life story* five years ago, I made a prediction in the title that he would be found faithful and finish his race well.

We stand here now and look back on his life with gratitude and the confidence to say, “He has been found faithful.”

*If you’re interested in reading all about dad’s life in more detail, check out the book I had the honor to write: My Dad: Found Faithful.