# My father died last night. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 20, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346 "2006-02-20T18:27:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/1 "2006-02-20T18:27:11Z")
He finally lost his battle with cancer. Mom and I were by his side, and he went peacefully. As he put it: “I’m 87. I have to die of _something_!” Mom is in the process of moving into a retirement village, so she has her support group around her. **deesiresjohn** and I are 15 minutes away, so she will be fine. My father was a teacher for over 50 years, both formally and informally. The lives he touched are countless and scattered across the planet. We have run into his students everywhere, from Kansas to Alaska. They all remember him. He was an irascible old coot in his later years, but sharp to the last. I can think of no better monument to his memory than the knowledge and love of learning he shared with his students, and me. We’ll miss you, Dad. Adrian Clarence Eichman 1919-2006 ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/2 "2006-02-20T18:28:47Z")
**silenus** –You have my condolences. Best wishes to you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![HeelB4Zod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19adc/32.png) [@HeelB4Zod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeelB4Zod)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/3 "2006-02-20T18:30:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He finally lost his battle with cancer. Mom and I were by his side, and he went peacefully. As he put it: “I’m 87. I have to die of _something_!” Mom is in the process of moving into a retirement village, so she has her support group around her. **deesiresjohn** and I are 15 minutes away, so she will be fine. > > My father was a teacher for over 50 years, both formally and informally. The lives he touched are countless and scattered across the planet. We have run into his students everywhere, from Kansas to Alaska. They all remember him. He was an irascible old coot in his later years, but sharp to the last. I can think of no better monument to his memory than the knowledge and love of learning he shared with his students, and me. We’ll miss you, Dad. > > Adrian Clarence Eichman 1919-2006 Very sorry. I’m glad you were able to spend the last moments of his life with him. ---
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/4 "2006-02-20T18:31:07Z")
I am very sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/5 "2006-02-20T18:33:25Z")
I’m very sorry. My condolences to you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/6 "2006-02-20T18:36:00Z")
Sounds like he had a long and fruitful life. Also sounds like he would be proud of you, **silenus**. May his memory live strong with you. My sympathies. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/7 "2006-02-20T18:37:29Z")
**silenus** I’m so sorry for your loss. Your family and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. It sounds like he died a peaceful death surrounded by people who love him. That was a wonderful tribute you wrote. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/8 "2006-02-20T18:45:56Z")
I was moved by your short tribute to your father. I am sure you will miss him. I’m sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/9 "2006-02-20T18:47:01Z")
I am very very sorry. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/10 "2006-02-20T18:47:48Z")
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a gentle death, and a very good life. Know that his love of teaching lives on in you and continues to change the world for the better. My best wishes to you and your whole family. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/11 "2006-02-20T18:48:41Z")
Sounds like he was a wonderful man - and how exciting that he was able to touch so many in his lifetime! I wish you and your family strength and peace. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/12 "2006-02-20T18:59:05Z")
I’m sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sounds like he was a wonderful man. GT ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/13 "2006-02-20T19:05:22Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > As he put it: “I’m 87. I have to die of _something_!” Without even knowing your father, I like him for that line. Sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/14 "2006-02-20T19:06:06Z")
I’m very very sorry for your loss - he sounds like a wonderful man. May you and your family know some comfort and peace. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/15 "2006-02-20T19:07:19Z")
I have no idea what to say in these situations. But, I’m very sorry ☹ ---
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/16 "2006-02-20T19:10:23Z")
So sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/17 "2006-02-20T19:30:24Z")
What a lovely tribute. You and your family are in my prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/18 "2006-02-20T19:31:48Z")
I’m very sorry for your loss. It sounds like your father did a wonderful job of making himself immortal. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/19 "2006-02-20T19:32:22Z")
Oh, **sil**. I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know your family means everything to you. Hang on to each other. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346/20 "2006-02-20T19:34:39Z")
What a wonderful post about your father. My very best wishes go out to you and your family. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-last-night/345346.md?page=2)