Our Dad went to be with Jesus, and his family and friends that had gone before him on
Our Dad loved
people, he made them feel special, and he showed interest in everything and
everyone he met. He would talk to strangers for the longest time, and
they felt comfortable talking to him. He
never turned anyone down, and picked up more hitchhikers than anyone I have
ever known. By the time he got the
person safely to their destination, he knew and cared about their whole life
story. He was a great story
teller, and shared much laughter with so many people throughout the years. My dad was one of the most kind, gentle and
caring people I know. He had the most forgiving heart, and loved his family
unconditionally, even through the most difficult times.
Our dad fell
in love with our mama when he was just 14 years old, and he pursued her love
for 47 years all together. He would
drive around the drive in restaurant with her name spray painted on the side of
his car…he loved her so much…even from the very beginning! My mom and dad had their share of ups and
downs, but stayed together for richer or poorer, and in sickness and health,
until my dad made it to his home in heaven.
My mom spent every moment of the last 60 days of his life by his side,
and I know he could feel her there with him, even until the very last breathe.
Our Dad was
just born to be a dad, he naturally knew what to do with us…whether we were being
ornery, silly, or heartbroken. He had an
amazing and admirable way of disciplining, always explaining the reason we were
being disciplined, and always followed it by a hug and an apology. He is the one who prayed with me when I
accepted Jesus into my heart. My Dad is the one who brushed and braided
our hair, who built snow forts and snow men and tree houses, and made
scarecrows and carved pumpkins, and stayed up with us when we had the stomach
flu. He cooked us big breakfasts, made the best grilled burgers, and
loved sweet tea and ice water. He loved us ferociously, scaring off
rotten boyfriends when needed, and driving in the middle of the night to find
us if we were talking to friends in McDonald's parking lot until 2
am. He loved to have fun, and we leg-wrestled and WWF wrestled in our
living room many evenings! On Father’s Day, in 1985, my dad received the
greatest father’s day gift anyone could ask for. His boy, my brother, was born. Together they shared everything a father and
son should, sharing so many hobbies and interests together all along the way. As a Dad to the three of us, he was truly an
example of what love looked like.
Our Dad was
also an amazing Grandpa. He would catch
little critters for the kids, pulled them on many wagon rides around the yard
with the lawn tractor, and horseback rides around the yard. He always shared a never ending supply of
lifesavers mints from his overalls pocket.
The kids would sit on his lap and check every pocket of his overalls and
rearrange all of his belongings, but he didn’t mind a bit. He was especially close with Tre, who shared
his name, Robert Dale Weimer. He shared the same love that he had for his
children with his grandchildren.
Our Dad was a
very talented singer, and one of our very favorite childhood memories was
sitting together in the living room listening to records and singing southern
gospel music like Gold City Quartet, the Cathedrals, and the Imperials. He could belt out those tenor parts, and I
can just hear him singing in heaven now.
My sister and I can’t wait to sing with him again someday!
Our Dad loved
riding his motorcycle, fishing, and going to mountain man rendezvous. He was really proud of his Indian heritage,
and made an effort to explore and learn more about this and share it with
others. His Indian name was “Two Feathers”.
He enjoyed shooting his black powder gun, sitting around a campfire with
Bobby, Uncle Mike, and our cousin Chris, and more than anything, loved being outside
in God’s creation. He wore overalls and
a hat almost all of the time, and always a friendly smile.
My Dad
overcame so many health problems, beginning with having strokes in his 50’s and
continuing until just a few weeks ago.
He also overcame anxiety and fear, and now has the ultimate
healing. During the past few years of
his life, he would praise the Lord for every sunset that he witnessed, with a
hearty, “Thank You Jesus!” no matter where he was or who he was with. He gave the Lord all of the praise and glory,
without worrying about what others would think.
I want to be more like my dad in that way, and in so many others. I will miss you so much, Dad...we didn't have
enough time with you, but Heaven gained the most amazing guy...we love you.
