Posted by Steve Dz. on October 30, 2011:

Dad was 97 this past summer, yet he had booked airline tickets to come out here in early Nov for the AF-Army football game, and talked semi-seriously about making some last tries at horseback riding, skiing, and tandem parachuting! However, his vitality dropped suddenly over the last 10 days. On Oct 11th, he attended Maria's annual caretakers meeting (driving himself, of course!), and gave an appreciation gift that really touched her caregiver team. The next day, he agreed to being checked into the hospital, saying that he knew it would be a more prolonged stay than just a quick recovery. Although his cancer had metastasized widely, the initial estimate then was that he still had months ahead of him. But he rapidly lost more awareness and energy with each day: a week ago, between his long periods of sleep, he could sometimes express his love for those gathered around him; as of a few days ago, he could only sleep the day away. Fortunately, he had no pain, just rapidly failing breathing and heart function. He leaves behind a century-long legacy of contributions to his country and the disabled, and of his great love for his extended family. With love and sadness, Steve

admin