A Little Tribute to My Grandpa

My Grandpa Stucki passed away on August 30th, 2009. He was almost 89 years old. He served in World War 2 and really had an interesting life. He was a character and had some idiosyncrasies that made him endearing to me. I will take the liberty of recording a few memories.

I remember...

as a little child feeling so grown up helping him wash and dry the dishes after dinner. There was no dishwasher, so it was a long process and I wanted him to know I could work hard.

getting a lemon drop for helping.

we visited for Christmas one year when I was very young (less than 5). I didn't know how Santa was going to get down the chimney because Grandpa had a coal potbelly stove that had a skinny pipe going up to the ceiling. But I woke up in the night and thought I heard it rattling. I lay shivering with fright and excitement.

his enthusiastic voice. He would get started and then really get excited about whatever he was talking about.

his great laugh. He was always cracking jokes, mostly poking fun of himself and laughing.

picking him up at the Greyhound station. He preferred to travel by bus.

hearing him tell stories of what it was like growing up, of the war, and the Great Depression.

getting a Valentine card from him every year with a $1 bill in it.

getting a birthday letter with a $5 bill in it every year. He wrote it in blue ink usually and Mom would read it to me because his handwriting was challenging to read. But the "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY" was done in red ink.

he came to Heather's baby blessing and stood in the circle.

he bought a crib for Heather.

calling him on a veterans day one year to thank him for his service to our country, and having a very nice visit with him.

visiting him on a long road trip with the kids. We spent the night at his home and enjoyed KFC for dinner. We went to Shoney's for the yummy breakfast buffet the next morning. Uncle Paul came too and tried to win a stuffed animal from a claw machine. He kept putting in dollars and trying but not succeeding, then letting the boys take a turn and Grandpa grew more and more agitated. It was pretty funny.

sending him a little Christmas package each year these past ten years or so. And sometime around the New Year, along would come a letter of thanks in his wonderful style. And I quote: " You surely did give me a fantastic Christmas with a whole box full of splendid gifts. I feel rather guilty to be showered with such a huge assortment of presents. They will be keeping me thinking of you all through the year. Your box of gifts arrived Christmas Eve- afternoon, if there is such a "title!" Thus, because the Big Day was almost knocking on my door I didn't start shaking the box nor holding it up to the light nor cutting a little corner off to "Flashlight" it's secrets! thank you so very much for making Christmas Day a bright one to remember. It should be added, I guess that I was expecting ole St. Nick to bring me the usual coal for Christmas - an' it's always enough to keep me warm all winter!"

Even though I didn't see him a whole ton in my life, he was always there and I knew he thought about me and loved me and was proud of me. I thought about him too, especially at Christmas because there was always a gift from him under the tree. I love him too and will miss him.

I want to share a couple of videos. One is in 1983 when we stopped in to say hi for a few minutes on a trip we were on. It kind of captures him I think. The next is some of the graveside service I got on video. It was very moving to have the WWII veterans there do the 21 gun salute and give the flag to Mom. It made it more beautiful and grand. Then there is a little at his house after the funeral as we are taking a look at some of his things and getting to know him a little more.