My father-in-law died yesterday.

[northofdenali]

He was 86. He came to Alaska in 1948, and lived his first winter here in a wall tent. Margaret and Michael were with him - Michael was 6. Margaret was.... adventurous.

Wall tent:


Actually, this is pretty delux - you didn't get these options in 1948. Dale thought he was going to be close to his family when he went to work in FortyMile Country.

Nope.

FortyMile is about 200 miles from Fairbanks, north of Tok, and named for the Forty Mile River. First Ooops.

Got Margaret pregnant. Yep. Wooooooweeeeeeeeee. My spouse!!!! She refused to give birth in Fairbanks because she thought the only local OB guy was an asshole. He was.

So he gets born in Oregon, instead. Oh well, there are worse places.

Dad built the Hot Springs Road. And the Hickel Highway. And most of the rest of every paved/graveled etc. road in this state. And you should hear his tales about hauling idiots out of various - um - nasty washouts etc. (especially on the Steese).

God, I'll miss him.

[Monkeyman]

1. You know my heart is with you RIP

[Madspirit]

2. I'm really sorry.

He sounds like a neat guy and an adventurer! May he RIP.
Lee

[TheDebbieDee]

3. RIP, F-I-L of NorthofDenali.........

[NanceGreggs]

4. I am sorry for your loss.

May is spirit be at rest, wherever it may be.

[flamingyouth]

5. I'm so sorry for your loss.

May he RIP. :hug:

[Radio_Lady]

6. Wonderful memories! I could hope that an in-law relative would ever say such beautiful things when

I am gone.

I have lit a candle for your father-in-law...

You can see it for the next 48 hours at:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=2827110

In peace,

Radio Lady

[illinoisprogressive]

7. I am so sorry about it. he looks like he will be in a beautiful place to rest.

[uppityperson]

8. Wow, nice story about FIL, RIP FIL

It is good to read about the early Alaskans, or would that be the early developers? Sounds like quite a man. RIP and my condolences.

[UrbScotty]

9. Best wishes to you and your husband.

:hug:

[AwakeAtLast]

10. {{{{northofdenali and family}}}}

Thoughts and prayers to you and the whole family. :hug:

[EFerrari]

11. My dear friend, I'm so sorry.

Ah, these people, where do they get off leaving us to miss them like this?

:hug:
((((((((((((northofdenali and family)))))))))))))))))

[yellerpup]

12. My sympathies are with you and your family.

He sounds like a really interesting man. His life would make an interesting book. I'm sure you will all miss him, but remember him for the color he brought to your lives.:hug:

[intheflow]

13. I'm sorry, northofdenali.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[jus_the_facts]

14. May he rest in peace and live forever in your memories...

....my condolences to you and yours. :hug:

[rockymountaindem]

15. My condolences n/t

[Shine]

16. Blessings to your beloved father-in-law on his journey.

Peace and Comfort to your entire family. :hug:

[roguevalley]

17. I am sorry, sweetie. Aren't the older Alaskans tons of fun? They did

so damned much in such hard conditions, they are heroes. I CANNOT IMAGINE spending winter in a tent north of Tok. I have seen windchills there of -60. What a great man he must have been. My dad helped build the Interstate 5 and drove pipe on the Prudhoe Road. No one makes men like them anymore. My most sincere condolences to you and your family and may your father-in-law rest in peace. Or better yet, drive D-8 cat with my dad in heaven. Take care, my friend.

[sandnsea]

18. Sorry for your loss

Even though we know that nobody can live forever, it doesn't make it any easier when that beloved person isn't there to turn to and share a laugh, a tear or just a quiet moment. I guess we just have to hold on to the ones who are still with us a little tighter.

[Left Is Write]

19. I'm so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

20. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. May he rest in peace.

[u4ic]

21. My sincere condolences

to you and your family, northofdenali. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. A fine tribute you've written...

It sounds like he and your mother-in-law were quite the pioneers. :-)

I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

23. I'm so very sorry NorthofDenali

My deepest, sincerest and most profound thoughts, prayers and condolences are with you and your family:hug: :hug: :hug:

[wildhorses]

24. i miss him--

please, i am crazy ...but his spirit just hovered over me for a minute...i am crying. my condolences to you and his son. i ask his spirit to guide over me and the road problem i am currently encountering. thank you for introducing me to him. he is a good man.

[Pushed To The Left]

25. I'm sorry to hear about your loss

:hug:

[HEyHEY]

26. Condolences NOD

:hug:

[Vidar]

27. My concolences.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

28. My deepest sympathies northofdenali

:hug: :cry: :hug:

[Th1onein]

29. I am so sorry.

May he rest in peace.

[bigwillq]

30. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[northofdenali]

31. How much I love you all, DU'ers - thank you, thank you,.

He was very, very special. Your thoughts will help us through.

:loveya: DU. Thank you all.

Steve & Karen & kitties