Our "affectionate daddy" was a good cook; hunter of mallards and morels; a tenor, debater, a wedding singer, a ladies' man, a cigarette smoker, state representative, Liquor Board Chairman, chicken farmer, cattleman, banker, notary public; and a damn fine swimmer, too.
He was beloved to all who knew him and many, many, who did not. He tried with all his heart to pencil in his family.
Born in Ferndale, Washington; he attended Whitman College and died in Tucson of the smoking disease. He married our mother twice; and two others, once each.
He was an unrepentant Republican who never lost an election; cohort of Dan Evans, Joel Pritchard, Ralph Munro, and was more liberal than Gary Locke or Bill Clinton.
We think about him in salmon season and always wish we could hear him sing "The Foggy, Foggy Dew," just one more time.
Here's a commentary we did about his death for NPR's All Things Considered .
Michael
What a wonderful tribute! I am speechless. I will treasure this.
Posted by: seattlejew | June 17, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Very nice, Bla'M.
Posted by: sparky | June 17, 2007 at 10:18 AM
I couldn't get the npr to play, but what a testimonial. No wonder you are such a feisty, soulful white man.
Posted by: howieinseattle | June 17, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Nice stuff Bla'm...Happy Father's Day to you sir.
Posted by: Duffman | June 17, 2007 at 01:06 PM
You are an egg-sucking liberal, but you have a heart, thanks for this, Mr. Hood...
Posted by: sarge | June 17, 2007 at 05:48 PM
Beautiful, as always, Bla'M...I'd be proud to have a spawn like you at my launch
Posted by: Fremont | June 18, 2007 at 09:10 PM