He was a great guy. One of my favorite uncles.
I can still picture him sitting at the kitchen table in my grand parents house.
He was in his late sixties, but still full of fun and wisdom.
My fondest memory is him taking me on a fishing trip in Ely, Minnesota. Bill Rum Canoe Country Outfitters. This was his gift to all the boys in the family when they became teenagers.
Little did I realize how important this trip would be to me later in life. It was the foundation of my appreciation of the great out doors.
He was great prankster. His best was late one night, after he concluded drinking at the local tavern, he came home took out the extension ladder and climbed up to the second floor kitchen window. My Aunt Marie was there washing the supper dishes. It was dark outside and his gnarly face in the window scared her half to death.
It was great fun to us, but not to her.
He would always make sure we saw the latest nature film at the neighborhood movie house.
He live a simple life. Worked, lived and loved life.
I never associate him with any unpleasantries. Just good fond memories.