My Dad, Richard L. Nickel, Passed away on December 19, 2000, age 60. This page is dedicated to the memory of him
I'd like to say I'm glad to be here and happy to see all of you, but
given the circumstances I'm not. I'd really it rather be just another
day, like any other day, prior to Tuesday.
I would like to thank you all that are here to support my Father and his
family ... my family.
On occasion with my friends we joke about how much we are like our
Fathers - and then we try to deny it - but the reality of it is we are a
product of our mother and father, the good and the not so good.
My Father was the best in my eyes. He taught and instilled in me what
makes me the successful man I am today.
He taught me to be honest and straight forward; to be the best at what I
do and to give it my all; to be true and devoted to myself, my family, my
causes, and my beliefs; to stand firm on my morals and never let anyone
sway me from them; and to be responsible and to take responsibility for
my actions. Those are just a few things he taught me that seem to be
lost in today's society.
My Father never kept me from pursuing or doing what I wanted, but he did
step in and stop me when what I was about to do was wrong or not
advisable. And when he did step in he had every right in doing so.
He protected me.
We didn't 100% share the same interests, but we each respected that of
each other and it was and is a very good relationship.
Although after today I will never be able to physically talk to, hold,
hear, or see my Father again, he is still very much alive in my heart,
my mind, my memories - within me - and I am very proud of him and who
he is.
My wife is the only one who really knows this, but I hate the words
"Good-bye" and rarely ever use them. So Dad, I will see you later and
I love you so very much.
Brad