From Larry Kleinheksel

I have a lot of memories of Rick, here are a few . He was the strongest guy that I have ever seen, he would help anyone when needed, he never wanted his picture taken, he loved to hunt and fish, he loved his family and here is a memory I will never forget.

In August of 2012 my dad needed some help with putting a walkway on his boat lift at Silver Lake. He said that Rick had it all planned out and he had bought the wood and screws needed to do the job. Rick would also be there to supervise the job. I thought this would be an easy little job that would take an hour or so. (Boy was I wrong)

I was told that Rick would have all the tools and Carla would also be there to help if needed. I believe it was a Saturday morning when we all were ready to go, Rick told me to just carry his tool holder to the dock. Well that was just great, Rick’s tool holder weighs about 150 pounds which was a piece of cake for Rick, but for a 64 year old guy with a bad back it was pure torture. I did get it to the dock and we got all the supplies there also. Carla got Rick a lawn chair to sit on while he barked out the orders!!

This was a new side of Rick that I have never seen before, you see usually we had Rick do the work but now it was me, Dad and Carla in the water with Rick as our supervisor and I believe Rick loved it!!

First we had to rip a 2 by 10 length wise with a circular saw that Rick provided, ( I swore he put a dull blade on it on purpose) We spent the next 2 hours ripping the boards with a constant barking Rick telling us that he could of done it in 10 minutes. ( Maybe he could of , but the board was water logged and we had a very dull blade put on by Rick) Next we had to attach the boards to the lift with self-tapping screws that Rick said would be a piece of cake!! After another two hours and Ricking barking out orders we did finish the job. I can remember telling Dad let’s just put in 3 screws instead of the four Rick wanted. I remember dropping one in the water and telling my Dad that’s one less we need to do!! Rick barked out to me,” Larry fish that screw off the bottom of the lake” we don’t cut corners when I am in charge. Yes sir, I will do it your way!!

We had a lot of fun that day, and guess who took the 150 pound tool holder back to the truck, Not wimpy Larry but my sister Carla!!

Love you Rick

I miss you!!

Lar

The Only "Real" Pizza

I had a craving for some pizza tonight and Tiffany surprised me with the only pizza that Dad was willing to actually call pizza. Classic J's again square cut pepperoni with green olives. Don't forget the side of fried cauliflower and ranch.

You had better expect Dad to ask where the pizza was after showing up with Pizza Hut or anything else that wasn't J's again. He would eat the other pizza and probably sometimes un-admittedly liked it, but in his eyes the only thing worthy of the title pizza was J's Again. I think he might be right...

Boot Prints

I was reading a book by Steve Chapman tonight that dad used to own, and the chapter I was reading was about how when Steve was a little boy he used to step in his dads foot prints that were left in the snow while following him to avoid getting snow in his own shoes.  It reminded me that I used to do this as well while following dad.  I don’t know if it was to keep the snow out of my shoes or just because it was a fun game to play, but I remember doing this when I was a child.  Anyway, Steve goes on to say that he was filled with joy knowing that he had been fortunate enough to have had a father who provided a good set of bootprints to follow through time.  Looking back at the tracks that Steve’s dad had left him through the years made him realize that they were responsible for leading him to know Christ, the best of all destinations.  Also, his dad’s steps guided him to a belief that things like a good name, honesty, and integrity are far more valuable than gold or silver. 

While reading this chapter, I couldn’t help but feel that Steve and I have learned a shared lesson from our fathers, and like Steve, I am confident that if I continue to put my feet where my dad put his, the tracks will lead me to heaven, and I pray that if my children choose to follow in my tracks through their lives that those tracks may lead them to Jesus. 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord (Psalms 37:23)

Black Turkey Dinner

With all the talk about turkeys a memory came to me about the time we decided to deep fry a turkey.  I believe it was on Easter and my whole family was coming over.  I got everything ready and put Rick in charge of dipping the turkey and timing it.   When there was only a few minutes left for it to cook  we gathered around our kitchen table.  We were all sitting there just anxiously awaiting the arrival of the turkey.  A few minutes later Rick walked in with a very black turkey on a pan.  I'll never forget the look on his face. I think he was sort of smiling and I even think he thought it was funny.  At first everyone was quiet but soon we all broke out into laughter.  At first my heart sank, wondering what we would do for meat, but soon I was laughing also.  We decided to peel off the black skin and see how the meat was.  To our surprise, the meat was juicy and tender.  Later we were told that you have to use peanut oil not Wesson oil to fry the turkey. Oh well, all turned out OK and it is a good memory. Carla

Rick Could Fix Anything

As a son in law, we liked Rick very much and got along with him good.  Once, when Rick and Carla were visiting here, I mentioned that my dishwasher wasn't working.  Immediately Rick was on his hands and knees and fixed it within minutes.  One of the things I will always remember about Rick is that he could fix anything!   We miss him.  Mom and Dad Kleinheksel

Christmas

This post goes along with the other post about songs that Dad used to sing,  the holidays are here and I know we all remember the infamous "Let it be Christmas"  song from Alan Jackson.  I'm really hoping there is at least one other person who remembers  Dads version of  Have yourselves a merry little Christmas.......

Have Yourself a Merry Stinkin Christmas,  Let the Yule Log Fly.

Anyone???

Driver's Training

I had just received my learner's permit.  We had the maroon Astro mini-van at the time.  I can remember how excited I was to drive with dad and show him my awesome driving skills.  Dad, of course, was not going to make it easy on me.  He faked being jumpy and scared most of the time (or maybe he really wasn't faking it...who knows).

I remember pulling up to the 4 way stop at 96th & Ottogan.  As I came to a stop, dad flung himself forward, knocking his head on the windshield.  He never missed a beat when he gathered himself and turned to me and said, "Oh, it's okay Tam.  You'll get better."

Next, as I turned the corner, he actually leaned over and fell out of his seat and onto the floor between the two front seats.  He again gathered himself up, turned to me and calmly said, "It's okay Tam.  I'm ok.  Keep working on it."

I don't know if dad did this to the boys when they had their learner's permit or if it was just me.  Of course, he probably didn't have to pretend to be scared with the boys (Bryan), since I do remember following Bry and dad after Bryan first got his permit.  It was at the same stop sign.  First, Bryan waved every single car at the 4 way stop thru before he would finally go (I can only imagine dad's patience being tested there).  Then, when he finally proceeded to go, the Jeep screeched and jerked and jumped a bunch of times and then I truly believe it actually popped a wheelie right there in the intersection.  Mom and I laughed so hard.  If dad fell out of the seat on that one, it wasn't fake!

Anyway, I can't wait to embarrass my kids this way some day!!