Pool
Another friend came by to visit Mom and drop off some gifts after Dad’s passing, today, August 25th. This friend recounted the memories of Dad and him playing pool. Again, no hesitation, my dad always said, “I’m in!” They won every time when Hank was on his side. They had good times. Dad was very good at bank shots. I think Dad liked owning the angles. It must’ve seemed like math, in a way.
He used to play pool when he was much younger. He used to play in pool halls in NYC. He played for money in those days. He said it partially paid his way through college.
Tennis
When anyone tells me how fast I am on the court, my response is the same: “like father, like son.” Dad could get to every shot. Drop shots never got by him, and his competitors were in awe of his speed. But it wasn’t just speed. It was athletic intelligence. He knew where the ball was going to go. He read the body language of his opponents correctly and anticipated the hits. I win a lot nowadays, but I never won a game against Dad.
Racketball
He came home banged up and bruised. He would throw himself against a wall to win a point. He did this religiously for years.
Skiing
It’s a big trek to climb up the back bowls of Vail with skis in hand. Dad made it a mission for me and my brother. Even if our legs were shaking, he’d make sure we made it to the top. He’d let us take a break, consistently had sports drinks and snacks available, and then we were on our way once again after a few minutes. He taught us consistency and perseverance. We made it to the top!
Golf
Dad thoroughly enjoyed the game of golf. “He had great focus” as one of his golf buddies recalled. The thing about golf is that it’s a mental game. And he was able to keep his cool in times of pressure.
Running
In his middle age, he would run 10 miles in the mornings before work.
Scuba Diving
He learned to scuba dive when he was stationed in Guam while he was in the Air Force. Later, he would share the hobby with me and my brother. He patiently listened in on classes to accompany us while we achieved licensure. Then, the trips to exotic islands in the Caribbean followed. Eventually, my ears couldn’t handle even moderate depths in the water. I’m sure he was discouraged when his eldest son could no longer dive, but he never expressed his discouragement. I love him so much for that.
White Water Rafting
We rafted all over the country. Mom isn’t a swimmer at all, but even she shared a raft with us once. That’s how motivating Dad was. He could inspire everyone around him through his love and care.
Hiking and the great outdoors
Hiking must have seemed so boring compared to his other sports. But later in life, it was more tame and necessary for his health. He still found the joy in it. He had fun exploring new places. He had fun moving. He was a man of action.
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