86 years old as of June 6th 2023, I hope one day I can be an Old Fart too. You were the first Father Figure I ever had, until Doug took over that role, and to be honest I’m pretty sure you never did know how to deal with a kid like me (hahaha). I wasn’t like my cousins, my mind didn’t work like theirs did, but you never gave up on me, even though I frustrated the hell out of you sometimes. You helped me get off Ritalin, helped teach me hundreds of useful things, hell you even taught me how not to take anyones shit (with the added help of mom of course, but she learned it from you, so that’s kind of doubling down on the education).
It wasn’t until your second run in with cancer that you really changed, and honestly it freaked me out at first, since you weren’t the hard ass I knew during my youngest years. But once I got use to seeing and talking with the softer side of you, I enjoyed it. Drinking a beer together, talking about your life when you went to school and the struggles you faced, and most memorably when you told me “I’m so proud of you Andy, you’ve come a long way kid.”………..(had to pause and walk away from the keyboard there for a minute, couldn’t type while teared up).
Your other date is coming up, June 16th 2019, the day you taught me one final (and harsh) lesson, what it’s like to lose someone you cared so much for. The three years prior to this one I didn’t take so well, they came and I’d revisit those same depressive emotions again, along with trying to figure out how a person properly grieves. This year is strange though, I’m very aware of the date coming up, but yet I’m not in fear of it. I’m pretty sure that’s due to a thought I’ve had since almost day one of shooting photography, “I wonder what grandpa Dick would think of this photo?”
I’ve been told by so many people now “Oh my gosh, your photos are amazing. You have such an eye for things. It’s crazy that you’ve only been shooting for such a short time, you must be a natural….so on, and so on.” But I know you’d have a different way of saying those things, because you didn’t use words like (Amazing, Love, Beautiful, or You’re a Natural). Instead you’d have told me, “You know what I like about these photos Andy? I like the way you tell a story. I like that no matter the photo you show me, even if it’s in black and white or color, I can see a feeling. You’re doing great kid, keep it up.”……….(sorry, had to walk away from the keyboard again. my tear ducts are getting one hell of a workout tonight. Wooo)
I don’t need to say “I hope I made you proud grandpa”, because I already know I did, long before I got into photography. But I do want to say that I miss the hell out of you, you old fart. One day we’ll meet again, drink a beer (or a few), sit by a campfire, and talk about all the adventures I’ve been on.
Thank you grandpa, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be half the person I am today.
Richard Dye - June 6th 1937 to June 16th 2019 - Beloved great grandfather, grandfather, father, brother, husband.
(Additional photos below are images I think he would’ve enjoyed the most).
