Childhood, Family, Life

The Greatest Man I Always Knew

Writer McWriterson
One of my favorite songs is Reba McEntire’s “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” which is about a troubled relationship between a father and his daughter.
“The greatest man I never knew
Came home late every night
He never had too much to say
Too much was on his mind
I never really knew him
And now it seems so sad
Everything he gave to us took all he had”
This says nothing about my relationship with my father as a child. However, the song affects me because my father spent so much of his life providing for his family.

My father is one of those people who sits back and watches others take center stage while enjoying the view from the back row.

If he is in the room and someone asks a random question, he almost certainly knows the answer. But he won’t say anything; instead, he’ll wait until others reach the same conclusion before agreeing with you.

My only criticism of him is why didn’t some of his intelligence trickle down to me?

My father is celebrating his official retirement day today. He has worked for the same company, Komatsu, since 1989, when we relocated from our small town in Ohio to the Chicago area. My parents have moved twice more with Komatsu as my father advanced up the corporate ladder (I’m bragging because he won’t), first to Peoria, Illinois, and then to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where their headquarters are located.

But my dad worked for much longer than that, from the day he graduated from high school in New Jersey to the jobs he undoubtedly held before leaving the town he had called home for the first 17 years of his life. My father was born in Dover, New Jersey, into a family of twelve children. He lost his mother when he was 14 years old and was placed in foster care because his father was unable to care for all of the children. My father is an inspiration, and a wonderful human being.

I’m constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to have gotten him in life’s coin toss.

Today’s blog post is dedicated to my father in honor of his retirement. Even after all these years, I still don’t know what he does! So I asked my mom. Thank you, mom! He worked in the Engineering Department, and he was in charge of all budgets.

But I do know this: throughout his 34-year career at Komatsu, everyone he worked with, communicated with, or interacted with adored my father.

The feeling is mutual. 

I’d like to introduce you to my dad. Not the person that the world sees. Here’s how I see him.

Dad and I Easter 1994

For a few years, in addition to his full-time job, my dad worked part-time with me at Kohls during the holiday season. For fun. I enjoyed having him a few departments away, as did my coworkers. I also enjoyed our back-and-forth rides to and from work.

Grampa and Anna sleeping

I’ve enjoyed watching my dad become a grandfather to his grandchildren. I never got to meet either of my grandfathers, so I’m glad my daughters have him.

Dad, daughter and son at beach in Wisconsin

My father is one of those people who does not know a stranger. He’ll draw you in with anecdotes and small talk about subjects he thinks you’ll be interested in. He is engaging and entertaining, as well as loving and genuine. He is also a rockstar in terms of music and trivia.

My dad and I at my wedding

From allergies to migraines to useless knowledge about the world’s largest ball of twine (Cawker City, Kansas), I am my father’s child.

He (and my mother) instilled in me a love of music, which carried me through nine years of concert, symphonic, and marching band participation and continues to this day.

Dad and Mom laughing

Even as an adult, hearing musical artists introduced to me by my father in the early 1970s transports me back to my youth. My earliest memories include Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Carole King.

My dad and I in the Smoky Mountains

Dad, some may argue that your most important days are behind you now that you are retired. I’m here to let you know that your most important work was completed within the confines of your home, not at Komatsu.

I think I’ll put on some Carole King and shoot some hoops. Want to join me? You have the time now.

24 thoughts on “The Greatest Man I Always Knew”

  1. Awww, Happy Retirement to your Dad! I have a hoop shooting father of my own and can understand every word you say here. I think our dads would be great friends, just like us.

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  6. I've visited a few times but not commented yet, but I felt the need today to say this was the sweetest post ever. Having lost my own dad almost 8 years ago now this made me miss him but also think of him in a sweet way. Thanks for that and congratulations to your awesome dad!

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  10. This is all kinds of awesome. Makes me want to know your dad in person! He lives in my home state now–I was born and reared in Tennessee! Will he and your mom stay in the South now? Surely they will, since you need to go back and spend time down there. (So sorry that your spring break ended badly!) Many, many congratulations to your father. Wish the world had more men like him!

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  12. Oh Kari, this is priceless. I lost my Dad when I was 4 1/2 in a plane crash. My Mom never remarried, but she did a darn fine job of raising my brother and I! You are so very very blessed to have grown up in such a wonderful family with such a loving Dad. Congratulations to this sweet man on his retirement!! Time to kick back and do what he enjoys. He earned it!! (They are next to me…NC here) 🙂

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  13. What an absolutely beautiful testament to your dad, Kari. I teared up just reading about him and your relationship. Thanks for sharing him with us today.

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  20. I can hardly type my comment through the tears. What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful father; what a life he has lived. I can’t even imagine losing my Mom and going into foster care at that age. What a strong human he is and what a life he gave to you my friend. I love that you have him and I love that you appreciate and know what a gem he is.
    I hope he has a nice Father’s Day.

    Oh, when I drive to GA, I always pass a few LARGE billboards advertising Komatsu and it always brought to mind Edwin McCain. Do you remember him? He had some great songs in the 90’s; we met him a few times when he was helping us with some charitable work. He told Coach how much he loves those machines and uses them on his big piece of property so he started selling them! How funny is that? But now, when I see the billboards, I’ll think of your sweet Father instead.
    Ok, maybe I’ll think of both of them as Edwin is also a very sweet human.

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