May 29, 2011

• Chuck Sr.

  I met Charles Shields a few months after I met his son…and he was a fascinating man.

  He’d grown up in Pittsburgh, served in the army as an artillery spotter, helped liberate a concentration camp, had three day bachelor party in Tijuana, gone to college on his GI benefits, married his best friends sister (who he remembered as a brat, then fell in love with) had one child, and went on to help them put men on the Moon with the Apollo program. All before he was 40.

  The rest of his life has been just about as eventful. He lost his first wife, remarried, and went onto work for RCA again, this time helping out with the AEGIS system. He retired about 25 years ago, and traveled all over the world, including China, Greece, the Caribbean, and Europe.  He had one grandchild, born on his birthday against all odds, and she became the apple of his eye.

  He has an extended family, sons and daughters in law…and I can’t look back and say he has not had a rather wonderful, well lived life. But Dad is not doing great…his age, and several health issues are crowding him. Every time I see him, he seems thinner. It makes me both sad and angry, because I remember him 30 years ago…a hearty, brilliant man with a tiny twinkle in his eye, when he wanted to tease me about something. We didn’t always agree on things…no large surprise…but I love him, and respect him, and I hate what is happening to him.

  He’s my father in law…my daughter’s beloved Grand dad…and he’s someone I care for, and about…and I hate feeling this helpless.

  • 10:20 pm
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