My heart always skips a beat when I open my email and something like this is a header...
Make a hole at Fiddler's Green
So it was yesterday morning. I'm used to these coming from relative strangers, or, as some internet-widow/ers call them, "invisible friends."
This one, however, was from a Denizen, our resident genuine rocket scientist, Bad Cat Robot.
"I doubt if even now he knows he's dead."My father passed away this morning in his sleep. The infection simply overwhelmed him. It was quick and relatively painless. I doubt if even now he knows he's dead.
I want him back.
Hee! From how BCR has described her father, I don't doubt that's true. As a part of his recent medical troubles, he was flown by helicopter to the hospital. It was the first ride this retired aeronautical engineer had ever had in a helicopter.
Here's how BCR described it:
Meet Robert Earl Chase, Bad Cat Robot's father.He's trying to start arguments again ;-) This is a very positive sign. They moved him to the big hospital in Bangor by helicopter, which sounds more desperate than it really is. The only other way is 2.5 hours on Rt.1, famous for being only two lanes and full of potholes and frost heave, so they decided 40 minutes in a medevac helicopter was better for someone in his fragile state. Oh, and he had complaints about the helicopter ride (!), it appears the bed wasn't comfortable. Plus, the helicopter had the wrong kind of engine. He's never been a fan of helicopters generally, being a fixed-wing aeronautical engineer, but I think he did enjoy the ride. Mom is still jealous that they wouldn't let her go on it.
Robert Earl Chase (1925-2009) My father was a veteran of WWII, fighting as a tailgunner on a B-17 with the 8th Army Air Force in England. In addition to bombing runs, his plane did some of the mercy flights of emergency food supplies over Holland towards the end of the war. He went on to become an aeronautical engineer, working at most of the major plane manufacturers. He loved planes, science, technology, archaeology, winemaking, practical jokes, but most of all his family. And we loved him back. The smile you see is who he always was, even at the end.
As BCR said over at her place -
I wasn't done with him yet. Give him back!
I wish I could. But if I could, I would have my mother back, too. I'm sorry I never got the chance to meet him, myself. BCR tells us her father was a tail gunner in the 8th Air Force over Europe in WWII and general Renaissance man. Bomber aircrew was a statistically more dangerous job during WWII than being an infantryman. Today, Robert Chase is catching up with a lot of old friends at Fiddler's Green.
Their efforts and sacrifice, along with all the allied nations, occupied and free, led to this.
Then, like the rest of his generation, Robert Chase came home, raised a family and built a home and community for his children, and helped build a prosperous America to pass on to them. What we've done with it... well, that's the subject of many other posts around here.
Robert, I only know your daughter, but, sir, you did well. Rest easy, airman. A grateful nation and Castle Denizenry thank you for your service, in war, and out of war, and for BCR.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Bad Cat Robot's dad, Robert Earl Chase.
Update: As there will be no funeral per Robert's request, the flags at the Castle stand at half-mast today.
Robert, I only know your daughter, but, sir, you did well. Rest easy, airman. A grateful nation and Castle Denizenry thank you for your service, in war, and out of war, and for BCR.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Bad Cat Robot's dad, Robert Earl Chase.
Update: As there will be no funeral per Robert's request, the flags at the Castle stand at half-mast today.
