The world lost a good man yesterday.   This is my grandfather, known to everyone who loved him simply as “Tech.”

I’ve been trying to think of a few words to say about him since I heard the news yesterday morning, but was at a loss until my mother in law sent her condolences, calling him a “creative and intelligent man.”  He was those two things.

And he was more:

He was TRUE.  If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know how important authenticity is to me.  Well he was as authentic as they come.  He was strong, and he was a man of personal integrity.  He stood up for himself, and he stood up for what he believed in.

He was KIND.  I appreciated that kindness as his granddaughter, and appreciated it even more when I saw it extended to my own children.

He loved to PLAY.  As a kid, one of the best parts of going to his house was seeing what new kind of gadgets he had laying around, whether a breadmaker or computer or a musical instrument.  Even right up until the very end, he kept UPS busy delivering new Kindles and laptops.  Yes, he loved his toys….

But he loved GOD more.  He loved his FAMILY more.  He loved his DOG more.

He was FUNNY.  A couple of months ago, when we happened to be out of earshot of the rest of the family, he made a slightly off-color joke that had Mike and I cracking up long after the fact.   I will treasure that moment now, and I hope that when I’m 86 that I’m still willing and able to joke and kid and make inappropriate comments on the fly.

He will be sorely missed on this earth, but I can only be happy that he is now once again with his beautiful bride.

I look forward to one day seeing them both again.