Folks, my Father died Sunday afternoon. He went peacefully in his sleep. He had cancer, but somehow he had zero pain for the last 4 months (post radiation). Because it wasn’t a heart attack (like 90% of our male ancestors die from), we had 9 months to say goodbye, and he was sharp right until the end. It was a gift to be able to say goodbye to him over these last nine months. My Dad had perfect ethics and morals; he was honest, honorable, and completely trustworthy. Dad was like a big Oak Tree; he was solid, steady, and had deep deep roots. The entire family could count on him And he was nobody’s fool, he was sharp as a tack! In fact, he was a learned man, he had an MBA, a JD and a PHD. And Dad was a history buff: he spent time reading books about history He had a big job at the University of Wisconsin: although he never once, not once, did he tell us that! We knew he was on the athletic board for a decade, and that he was involved with Grants and Patents. Only yesterday did someone else tell me about how big his job was. [I spend too much time bragging and name dropping, but obviously I didn’t get that from him!] For two decades he was Chairman of the Board of—his beloved—University of Wisconsin Credit Union. In fact, his name is engraved on the building (the UWCU headquarters). I asked him about that once, and he said, “It’s nothing, the current chairman of the board has his name on the building.” It’s funny that, only now, do I understand how humble he truly was. He didn’t talk about himself very often, but he was always ready to hear about his children’s lives. He supported me by coming to the @WSOP for 34 years straight!! He saw me win the 1989 Main Event, and that was something for him to come to Vegas for 6 days; what with his job, his UWCU position, and my younger brother and three younger sisters. Back then, most thought being a pro player poker was akin to being a drug dealer. But, he showed up for me in BIG way… He loved “Masters Swimming,” swam over 10,000 miles lifetime (not exaggerating!), and finished top 3 in the World in “40-50 year old” category (he was 40) before his rivals turned 40 the next year. He loves swimming and coached my sister Ann—and her team—in special Olympics for 25 years He also loved watching sports, and enjoyed talking about the Green Bay Packers and the UW football team. I flew Dad out for the Packers Super Bowl in San Diego, and we were on sideline when Favre came back playing for Minn Vikings. His athletic Board position meant the UW paid for his trips to the Rose Bowl I love you Dad…May rest in the peace you so richly deserve