He was a district attorney, a law professor and a pro tempore judge during the summer months who usually seemed to be working. He was a fine chess player, a poet, a vorascious reader, an amateur historian, and a faithful dependable husband, son, and father to his 4 boys. He had a ready smile, a hearty laugh, a love of bad puns and a wit. What made Donald Turner a truly great man, was his constant tenacious efforts to be stay a good man. I mean this guy worked at it every day. He worked on his character, and strived all the time not to hurt people, not to lie, or be petty, not to let his temper get out of control. He practiced these skills like other people practice their tennis serve, or their guitar chords. Well it turns out that practice does not make perfect, and he screwed up. He was arrogant, stubborn, sometimes emotionally distant, and religiously late, and when that temper got out of control, it was scary! there were rare occasions when he could be cruel and emotionally abusive. But deliberative and daily practice at being a good man, paid off big time. He set such an example, everyone around him found themselves working hard and practicing to be good too including his kids. I owe him more than I can ever express in this little post and I miss that great man.
Sorry you lost your dad. I guess that is the thing about parents--no matter how long you have them, it isn't long enough. My dad is just an average joe who does average joe things. Even-keeled I guess is a good way to put it. Practical, pragmatic and if it is possible to do it yourself, he has always done it himself (well except when making us do it). Doesn't get worked up about much. No Drama dads can be pretty nice too.
'Average Joe's' with a practical independent streak can be great influential figures in the Dad department.
