My dad was and is the greatest influence in my life. I learned humor from my dad. From that, I gained the knowledge that things can and should be funny, that there is a place for humor, but you also have to be judicious. I learned humor puts people at ease, and makes it easier to get things done. And I learned you shouldn’t take yourself so seriously. My dad taught me how to throw and catch a baseball, and how to make a basketball shot. From that I learned that it’s important to pass on knowledge, of things big and small. And I learned it’s important to listen to people who know how to do things you don’t know how to do. My dad taught me how to fish, and from this I learned the importance of being quiet, and how watching and waiting really do pay off. My dad bought me my first rifle, and taught me how to shoot. From this I learned to make every shot count. My dad taught me how to play golf. From that I learned about patience, self-control, and the value of practice. When I was a Cub Scout, my dad was the pack leader, and he and I built a Pinewood Derby car that just annihilated the competition. He didn’t build it; he advised me as I built it. Cub Scout Max Dacey and I tried for five straight years, and we never came close to that achievement. From this I got my first real glimpse of my dad, the engineer, and I’ve learned my dad was better at Pinewood cars—and a lot of other things—than I ever will be. My dad taught me how to use tools, and how to build and fix things. With Bob the Engineer, it was measure twice, get a second tool and measure twice again, do a regression analysis of the 4 data points and hire a consultant to validate the two measuring tools—then cut once. I learned my dad was serious about prep. My dad taught me that a job worth doing is worth doing right. From that I learned the value of planning and execution. My dad taught me what a “lazy man’s load” is, and I’ve taught my son the same. My dad taught me the value of knowledge, and the importance of details. When I missed a bus for an 8th grade ski trip, my dad drove me by himself 500km from Heidelberg down into Austria to a town neither of us had ever heard of or been to, to find the group and drop me off. From this I learned how much I meant to him, and I began to understand the kind of sacrifices a parent makes for a child. My dad taught me the value and the power of “sir” and “ma’am.” From that I learned about respect, humility, and why it’s important to know one’s place. My dad commissioned me as an officer, and promoted me to 1LT and Captain and Major, and I proudly wore the same rank insignia he had worn. My dad taught me the most important things a person carries are honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing. As a 20-year-old ROTC cadet, I saw him tear into an out-of-uniform senior NCO in an airport bar. He took no pleasure in humiliating the man, which he most certainly did, but he did it immediately and fully because it was the right thing to do. I saw my dad relieve a company commander because the man wouldn’t tell the truth, over a minuscule issue. It deeply saddened him, but he didn’t hesitate in the least, because it was the right thing to do. From this I learned the need for the hard right over the easy wrong. This was Bob Dacey, my dad. He was and will continue to be the greatest influence in my life. Thanks, Dad.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:31:38 +0000
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