Harry Waldo Swegle

Harry W. Swegle Tribute My Father was the greatest man I ever knew. He was the best possible Father I could ever have. I have no doubt about that. I very often tell the story of Chief Justice Warren Burger, the Chief Justice of the United States, calling our house. I, as a little boy, would run to answer the phone and have a brief conversation with the Chief Justice before calling my Dad to the phone. That was the kind of man my Father was. As a teenager I was rapidly destroying myself. I was completely out of control with drugs and alcohol. I would not be writing this today had I not had my Father. He made the sacrifice to put me in the toughest rehab in the country to get me sober. He saved me. That’s all there is to say. I just don’t want it to feel like he’s not here. Since I was seven years old when my parents divorced, my Father has been the rock in my life. He has always been there. His beautiful home feels soulless without him here. I wander through it lost in memories. Sadly delighted by all the thoughts of him. He was an amazing man. He taught me the ways of the world and what it really means to be a Man. He taught me everything, because he really seemed to know everything. I was always amazed at his knowledge, intellect and wisdom. I truly realize now, how much he shaped everything about me. Whether it be my passionate following of politics and government, deep intellectual thought or the love of great literature, but also my obsession with turning off any lights that are wasting electricity. He is a part of me and my soul. The biggest part. I was always so proud of the fact that he served in the Army in WW2. It was another hint at his character. A character of strength, independence and love. His love was real and substantial. He loved his family so deeply. It was wonderful that he spent the final 23 years of his life living only a path through the woods away from his entire family. It was a beautiful finish for such a man, dying in his own home with his dignity and family. He gave generously to his family never asking anything in return. Anything I struggled with he offered to help me. He was a truly good man, despite his infamous, and often extremely irritating, and of course intentional, comments and attitudes. It’s funny how you miss those things now that they’re gone. I could write a thousand pages about my Father, and still feel like I haven’t said enough. He is a legend to my family and I. I will wrap this up because life does go on, and I must face it now without him to help guide me. His passing has left a great hole in the soul of our family, but his plentiful, wonderful memories will fill that hole over time. I finish by saying, thank you Father for being the most wonderful father a man could ever have. Thank you for the wealth of love, knowledge, generosity and character that you blessed my life with. And most all, thank you for teaching me to be a decent, moral, hard working and resilient man. I love you Dad more than I can ever say in words, and I will miss you forever.. Goodnight and May God Bless Your Soul… Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Dylan Thomas 1914 – 1953 Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.