My Father's Legacy is a photograph by Randy Rosenberger which was uploaded on December 12th, 2013.
My Father's Legacy
This is one of the few surviving photos, of my father (1910 - 1973) He fought in World War II, and was a decorated war hero. He retired after many... more
Title
My Father's Legacy
Artist
Randy Rosenberger
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This is one of the few surviving photos, of my father (1910 - 1973) He fought in World War II, and was a decorated war hero. He retired after many years in service, and if fact, he finished his career in the Army National Guard. Retirement age at that time was 62 and the government extended him one year, and from I understand, he was the first Warrant Officer 4th class that was allowed this exception. They knew his value, skills, and knowledge, thus kept him until he was 63, and he never missed a day of work in his life.
After 6 months of "retirement", he passed away in his sleep, due to congestive heart failure.
The following is a tribute I wrote about my memories of my father, and his great influence on my life:
I loved to watch my dad ride horses in competition, as he was a great horseman! He taught me how to care for and ride horses for fun and in competition. I even won some ribbons!
"Work hard, do your best at whatever you choose, and be dedicated and reliable in whatever endeavor you decide upon." I learned that at an early age, and it truly did affect my attitude in my first business of mowing lawns, and since then too.
I loved to ride horses with my dad, and I also loved going fishing and hunting with him, as that is what he liked to do, and I wanted to make him proud of me. So, we enjoyed many moments with the sound of the beagle hound and waited patiently for our supper to cross our paths.
I think I looked like him when he was young, and he was quite handsome, and when younger, I was told I was too. But, then one turns to a prune eventually and only inner beauty really shows through, and that is what I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
"I will trust you, as long as you don't break that trust, and once you do, and I find out, you are on your own! Never broke that trust, and if I slipped up on a rare occasion, My Dad either let it slide, or didn't know about it! LOL
My dad was a "lifer" in the army and devoted many years of service to his country and retired as a warrant officer 4th class, which is the highest noncommissioned status that one can achieve in the army. He was the first in the state of Wisconsin to get a 1 year extension on his mandatory retirement age of 62, as they needed him and his expertise in his field. He retired and died in the same year, at 63 years of age.
I wish they would have needed him on his job longer, as he never missed a day of work due to illness in his career as a top soldier!
When growing up,I was not great, but not bad either. But, as years went on I learned to admire, respect, and love my DAD more than when I was a young little turd, who only caused him grief!
We really didn't "go without", as we had a roof over our heads, and warm and clean house, nice yard and gardens, but no frills attached, as even the pigs and chickens and horses had to pay their way, one way or another.
Respect and obedience was a definite, that you didn't want to cross over to the other side without dire consequences! My Dad loved me, that I know. With the love I have for others today, I either got some inadvertently from him, or learned it by growing up and making mistakes, and learning some from that.
I am not sure, as even raising our only child, I did feel quite inadequate as a father, at times!
No matter how many books you have read or parents you confer with, it is still YOUR responsibility, and hopefully I did some things right along the way, as I believe our lovely daughter turned out quite well, either because of me, or in spite of me, or a combo of the two!
"Just do the best you can at whatever you do!" And, this was my Dad's philosophy on life , in general!
Be the best you can be, in whatever job you hold, and the rest will come from experience. Be honest, faithful, and hard working, and the rest is going to follow you throughout your life. Get an education, so when you are our age, you won't be scraping together a living, but live well, so that is why I chose to further educate my self beyond high school!
And, this is my "perspective of life" as I have lived it, and am reaping rewards today that I "inherited" from DAD!
Composed and written by Randy "Elvis" Rosenberger,
son of Andrew E Rosenberger
Uploaded
December 12th, 2013
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Comments (130)
Kathryn Jones
A lovely photo of your father, Randy! He was obviously a man of integrity. You can tell that just by looking at him. He left you an ethic which has shaped you into the kind of person that you are and which you have been able to pass onto your daughter, who, hopefully, will be passing it on to her children too. This moral heritage is more important that anything which money can buy. Thank you very much for sharing this nugget of your Family History, Randy.
Hanne Lore Koehler
Wonderful old photo of your dad, Randy! I truly enjoyed reading about your childhood in your touching tribute to him! L/F
Tran Boelsterli
Randy, thank you for a heart-felt tribute about your Dad! Every word in your Dad's quotes reminded me of my Dad's exact quotes (smile)! I too have taught my children the past 27 years about being respectful, honest, faithful, etc. Everything else will come naturally if we have the inner beauty... Soon, my children will have their children and hopefully carry on the "good quotes".
Tami Quigley
Such a beautiful portrait of your Dad Randy and also love the warm and loving tribute you've written! L/F
Randy Rosenberger
Thank you very much for visiting my galleries and commenting on this shot, as I truly appreciate your time and support for my work, the work of our fine group of artists in the WFS group, and to all artists of FAA. It is truly appreciated, and welcomed! Randy B. Rosenberger (admin of WFS group)
Randy Rosenberger
Thanks so much for visiting my gallery and for your encouraging comments on my work. Both your encouragement and your visits are always very welcome. Randy B. Rosenberger admin of WFS group
Barbara Jewell
Wow, Randy. You can't imagine how your tribute touches my heart. I just lost my Dad a few weeks ago at age 98. He, too, was a WWII, proud Navy veteran who served in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets as ship's navigator...a job he loved. He wanted to make the Navy his career, but Mom had other ideas after chasing him all over the country (with me as a baby in tow!) just to spend a few precious days with him while his ship was in port! Making family his #1 priority, Dad settled for a more mundane career as an accountant. He left the Navy Reserves in the 50's as a Lieutenant Commander. I am in the process of writing my tribute to him to be delivered at his memorial service. So much of what you say about your Dad applies to mine as well! (My Dad even died of congestive heart failure, as yours did.) He was an Eagle Scout, and something my brother and I will always hear being "whispered in our ear," is: "Anything worth doing is worth doing well!" "Do your best." Service to God, country, community and family was the way Dad lived his life. You and I were both blessed to have had these wonderful men in our lives. Focusing on that helps to ease the pain of loss. Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad to have read this at this particular time. (Your Dad was one "handsome dude" ...as was mine! :-)) L/F
Randy Rosenberger
Robyn, I really appreciated your time in reading the description that accompanied this photo, as both are very meaningful to me. Thank you very much for visiting my galleries and commenting on this shot, as I truly appreciate your time and support for my work, the work of our fine group of artists in the WFS group, and to all artists of FAA. It is truly appreciated, and welcomed! Randy B. Rosenberger (admin of WFS group)
Randy Rosenberger
Thanks very much for liking this tribute, Lexa. It is very important to me and I am glad you took time to ponder on this special tribute. It was very welcomed and much appreciated.
Robyn King
Randy this is a beautiful dedication to your dad. Seeing him through your writing is a really wonderful experience♥
Lexa Harpell
Such a beautiful portrait Randy...there will be another generation of their like, they went through so much change and the last who were 'in touch' with the world - using their hands. Treasure....
Randy Rosenberger
Thanks Elena! Thanks so much for visiting my gallery and for your encouraging comments on my work. Both your encouragement and your visits are always very welcome. Randy B. Rosenberger admin of WFS group
Randy Rosenberger
Thanks so very much, Doug, and there are many fond memories that we will cherish forever! Thanks for your thoughtfulness! Thanks much for your visit to my galleries and comment on this piece of work. Both are very much appreciated! Randy B. Rosenberger Administrator of the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group
Doug Kreuger
Randy, This special time of the year helps us to remember family and friends who have gone to rest… and lets us celebrate their legacy and the important ways they shaped our lives. I am certain your Father continues to have great pride in the man you are. I enjoyed rereading your heartwarming tribute to your Dad! L&F
Randy Rosenberger
Elizabeth, you hit the nail on the head in your assessment of my Father, and was felt by everyone he knew. Appreciate your wonderful visit and kind words of praise for this wonderful man.
Elizabeth Dow
Oh Randy, I feel as though that I know your father from reading your amazing praise and personal stories about your experiences together. It seems to me that you wish your father's employers had needed him longer because he would have lived longer. He was part of the Greatest Generation and knew much about hard work, honor, trust, devotion to his family. I am certain that you are as good a father as your father was to you. Thank you so much for sharing this very personal and insightful family legacy.
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