Blow a Kiss and Say Good-Bye

[Seahawk]

On Thanksgiving night my Father passed away in his sleep, peacefully and without argument, crossing the fine line with the calmness with which he led his life. He was 84 and until August of this year was in fine health.

Little sadness here or with my sisters. We know we won the parent lottery and see it as such: We were safe, loved and cared for, challenged, and disciplined by two fine minds, people, two thinkers who paid attention.

We are eternally grateful, now and when my Mother passed away in 1990. My memories are true: Raising children in the 50's, 60's and early 70's was turbulent but they worked through it with us, fights and all, scars to prove it.

I challenged everything, was diffident and difficult, rebelled without merit or a particular destination. A parents nightmare.

But the door stayed open, they let me back in, on their terms, terms which gave me life yet again.

I though about posting his bio, all the accomplishments and cool stuff he did. He fought in Korea and Vietnam after graduating 12th in his class at West Point.

MIT in between, Masters in Nuclear and Civil Engineering. It goes on and on.

But I thought I'd share this, all you ever need to know about men and women. I was four years old when he got the call:

Idaho Nuclear Power Field Office, National Reactor Testing Station, near Idaho Falls, Idaho, on 3 January 1961. Captain Morgan was at home when he was informed of a severe explosion some 40 miles away within the highly radioactive core of an SL-1 Nuclear Power Plant. Rushing immediately to the scene, he discovered upon arrival that a previous attempt had failed to locate and rescue an enlisted man known to have been in the building.

Fully aware of the extremely high rate of radiation existing within and surrounding the area of the explosion, and with the complete knowledge of the threatening possibility of another similar explosion, Captain Morgan voluntarily entered the building in an effort to locate the missing man. Together with three other individuals, he remained inside the building and, without regard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to the dangerous radiation until the missing crew member was located. He withdrew from the contaminated area only when it was positively establish that the man was dead. After the withdrawal, Captain Morgan quickly realized that a fire in the reactor building would result in widespread and lethal radiation.

To prevent this, he re-entered the contaminated area and secured all doors, sealing off the hot air furnace as a precautionary measure. The prompt action, presence of mind and unselfish heroism displayed by Captain Morgan in this sudden emergency are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.


Interesting in that the first we heard about this was when my Mom died, along with the Bronze stars and other relics of his past.

I leave you with this, a link to an article in the NYTs. Join me a a toast to Bob, a fine man, my Father, then my Friend:

'FISHBOWL' TASK - DECIDING HOW TO DISPOSE OF NUCLEAR WASTE - NYTimes.com

Edit: I would also like to thank Tobra: His assistance has been invaluable. This from a man I have never met. The generosity of this place, the willingness to help, is ever astounding. Thank you, Toby.

[nostatic]

God speed to him and best to your family.

They got a name for the winners in the world...

[KFC911]

Paul, there may be little sadness there, but there is some sadness here after reading this. Easy to see where you got "it" from....
You have my condolences....

[nostatic]

From the article:

But although he is held in high regard here - one House aide called him ''about the best bureaucrat I have ever met'' and an industry source said his Army Corps of Engineers background was perfect for the politics of his work - Mr. Morgan is eager to finish and leave.

''I've had opportunities to transfer here and I'm not interested,'' he insisted. ''I don't like Washington.''

Having met you, I am again happy to report that genetics in fact does work.

[Miguel Antonett]

Wow... just wow... I'm with you my friend!

[scottmandue]

God bless you and your family.
Lost my dad a few months ago, somewhat different circumstances but he was a good man.
Just to add (hope this is not a thread hijack) my dad flew the P-47 (and a few other trainers).
I was to stop by and see him Saturday after work at the hospital.
My mom called and asked if I could take her by after church to visit him so I skipped Saturday.
Dad was 90 and suffering from a relapse of esophageal cancer thus he had stopped taking solid food.
Sunday we stopped by and he was staring at the ceiling, gaunt and motionless with his mouth hanging open. Mom sat on the side of the bed, took his hand and talked to him, told him she loved him... after a short while she looked at me and said "he doesn't know we are here, lets go" so we started to leave.
Dad's hand slowly went up, I stopped and said "no mom, he know we are here."
We chatted for a short while but all dad could do was make hand signals.
I realized they were the hand signals he used as a pilot.
I told him I loved him and kissed him on the forehead. Then we left... dad passed away that night...
I gotta go now, got some dust in my eyes.

[Jim Richards]

My condolences to you and all your family, Paul.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Well said Paul, considering the source I'm not surprised. Now I understand your post about receiving his FD RX7. It sounds as if your heart and head are in the right place, a great man has simply moved on to a be reunited with his wife. Godspeed.

[Danimal16]

God Speed Paul, for you and your family. They aren't making many like him anymore.

[herr_oberst]

Wow. A good life well lived.

R.I.P. Captain Morgan.

My condolences to your family, Paul.

[bivenator]

I will join you in a toast to a remarkable man.

[2porscheguy]

Wow, what a compelling story Seahawk! Your dad taking such risks all in stride! Ironman has nothing on your pop!

I will toast Bob tonight!

Thanks for sharing this with us!

[recycled sixtie]

Paul your father sounded like an impressive man. He had a great life.
Guy

[matt f]

My sincere condolences on the passing of your father.
St. Barton's ode aided me through a similar time.

"I am hurt, but I am not slain,
I will ly me down and bleed a while,
Then I will rise and fight again."

Best Regards to you and your family,
Matt

[Rick V]

Condolences from my family to yours.
You know Paul, if you ever need anything, you know how to reach me

[Tobra]

Funny how the first quote that jumped out at me was this,

''I've had opportunities to transfer here and I'm not interested,'' he insisted. ''I don't like Washington.''

Paul, I really did not do all that much, you are too kind.

[GH85Carrera]

Condolences Paul.

I guess the apple does not fall from the tree. He taught you well and led by example.

He lived a long full life and had the great fortune of not spending long years in a nursing home as an invalid.

The passing of another of the greatest generation makes the country sad.

I lost my father not long ago and the pain recedes but never vanishes.

[speeder]

Sorry to hear that he's gone but toast to a life well lived. Glad I got to meet him. Much love to you and yours.

[MT930]

Paul Sorry for your loss !

I read a story about the SL-1 Nuclear Power Plant accident a year ago. The accounts of the first responders I thought how scary and unknown an accident would be. It was the first one in history. True bravery ! They don't make them like that anymore.

[MikeSid]

Some people are so good that they give strength to the people around them simply by the decency of their life among us. We already knew your father to be a good man. What was silent in the father, speaks in the son.
My heartfelt condolences to your family.