41 Comments
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erin dunning's avatar

beautiful writing pod. hits extra hard this year and you will never root for oregon state alone, go beavs

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Bob Dunning's avatar

That is very comforting, Erin.

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Ted's avatar

I would pretend to be asleep so my dad would carry me inside from the car. That trick must run in the genes.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Indeed

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Bonnie Mintun's avatar

Ah .. such a simple moving tribute, Bob. You sure know how to portray family love. I bet it's because you have never stopped feelin' it deeply, as the years go by.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks so much, Bonnie.

As you know, true love in a family lasts forever.

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Tori B's avatar

So beautiful, Bob. You have a gift for capturing his spirit in your writing. We can feel the love he had for you all.

“There must have been some bad times, but I don’t remember them now.” This says so much.

(You look so much like him too!)

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks, Tori. Dad was better looking than I am.

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Jane Eadie's avatar

What a beautiful tribute Bob. It reminded me of some of the special moments I was fortunate to share with my Dad so many years ago. Thank you.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks so much, Jane

Aren't we both so lucky to have had such wonderful dads in our lives.

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Jennifer Vinh's avatar

Beautiful. ❤️

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Bill Weisgerber's avatar

…sweet, sweet memories, Bob.

“May sweet memories…from the past, always come to when you look for them. And your inspiration, long may it last; may of come to you, time and time again.” J.P. McCartney

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Sweet memories allow us to live those moments again, with tears and laughter and everything in between

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Robert Jacobs's avatar

Excellent Bob. It seems god Dads are the same everywhere. Thanks for jump-starting my memories.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Indeed, lots of good dads around, Bobby.

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Darlene & Craig Hunter's avatar

Bob, what a heart-felt, beautiful, and powerful tribute of the profound love your dad had for his special family, and you all had for him. You certainly carry his spirit and caring ways everyday in all that you do with your family, friends, and community. We are so lucky that your incredible writings bring these intimate feelings to into our lives. Bless You!

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks so much. You should know, Darlene, that your dad was like my dad, full of kindness, wisdom, integrity and joy.

He was a true role model to me as my baseball coach for three years in my teenage years and as a friend and mentor when I worked in his greenhouse as a UC Davis undergraduate. Had some great talks with him in that greenhouse over many years.

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Drew Lancaster's avatar

Such an endearing and heartfelt tribute to your wonderful father. Thank you for sharing this with us

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks so much, Drew.

Greatly appreciated.

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ralph villanueva's avatar

Thank you for a special Christmas present. I am shedding tears, grateful for the foundation my parents gave me.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Your parents were superstars, Ralph. Yes, they sent you on a great path in this town where your contributions were many.

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Chris Carey-Flores's avatar

Beautiful memories of a well lived man. I completely understand wanting to be with your dad, no matter what. Weren't we blessed?!

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Your dad and mine, Chris. What a pair of champions in every sense of the word.

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Paula Chulada's avatar

Thank you for sharing this loving tribute to your father. It’s the time of year for remembering our loved ones- here & gone. You do look like your dad, especially in the cap & gown photo. 👨‍🎓 Paula Chulada

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Being compared to my dad is quite a compliment, Paula. He went back to college at age 40 with five young kids after serving in World War II.

And of course Mom worked nights as an RN to support the family while Dad went back to school. All we needed to be happy in those early years in town was a bike to get us to Central Davis School, a sturdy lunchpail, a pair of Keds, a well-sharpened No. 2 pencil and an occasional after-school maple bar at the Vienna Bakery.

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Laura Ambrose's avatar

That was a beautiful, loving tribute to your father. Thanks for sharing it.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Very kind of you, Laura. Was lucky to have him in my life for so long. Was one of the reasons I stayed in Davis.

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Diane Steele's avatar

One of your best, Bob. Remembering my wonderful, hard-working 6 days a week Dad, gone 41 years now.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

I'm sure you loved him dearly, Diane, and he the same for you.

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John Crowe's avatar

Beautiful, Bob. All of us with wonderful fathers- yours among them- relish this lovely essay. My own dad, whom all of us kids adored, died young, of a heart attack, and we all miss him to this day. He was always there for us, athletic events, concerts, you name it, he was there and supporting us. And then he suddenly wasn’t.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Those feelings of love never go away, do they?

Every now and then, when Oregon State wins a football game, I get halfway to the phone to give me a call.

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