My father died just before 2 a.m. this morning. He was within sight of his 97th birthday, which would have rolled around December 7.
My sister, Bonnie, got the news to the web early this morning on her blog.
We spent yesterday at his bedside after his condition worsened, but gave up the vigil by early evening. He was not expected to live through the afternoon, but did. Even at the end, he displayed surprising strength, although by now it was a burden and not a blessing.
He made quite a mark in the world of Hawaii ocean sports after arriving in the islands in 1939. He was a founder of the Hawaii Surfing Association, a founder and first president of the Waikiki Surf Club, and a founder of the Makaka Surfing Championships. He headed the Waikiki Surf Club through most of its first decade. He believed in amateur sports, and I don’t think he ever warmed to the idea of surfing becoming a professional enterprise.
I quickly grabbed a few photos that I think he would enjoy seeing again. That’s him surfing in Long Beach, California, in 1938, when he spearheaded organizing of the First National Surfing Championship at a surf spot later wiped out by construction of the Long Beach breakwater. His board had been built by the father of his close friend, Myron Brejcha, who was a Long Beach city official.
The middle photo was a Christmas card sent out by my parents around 1940. They’re walking on Kahala Beach with my mother’s dog, Kiki.
The bottom photo was taken on the beach in Waikiki, early 1950s.
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Sincere condolences to you and your family. Take comfort in knowing he’s now free of any pain and suffering. May he rest in peace.
I’m so grateful to you for sharing your experiences with your dad in his failing days. I loved your touching descriptions of time spent with him.
Your father was a remarkable person–I’m grateful you shared so many of his stories. Condolences and aloha to you, Meda, your sister and your mother.
These last few days it has been as if your father had been stuck on the beach, too long. He has gone off to sea or wherever we go, leaving those behind in port with their bittersweet memories and unfinished business that we all have when our parents go.
Peace be with you.
Ian,
Thanks for sharing your father’s life and the many photos of old Hawaii that he took.
My condolences to your family, Ian.
Condolences sans question. Remember those 90 plus good years and reflect on them often as you naturally mourn and say goodbye.
That’s what I have done in memory of my mom who checked out at a younger age when her body broke down as her wonderful spirit persisted.
We both are so lucky to have had great parents worth remembering each day we live on.
Please accept my condolences.
In looking at your dad’s dates, I see he was born the same year as my father, Harold Lane. It may be that their paths crossed in Hawaii years ago. My father was VP of Sheraton Corporation when they purchased the Royal Hawaii, PK et al from Matson in 1959. My father was in HNL often during that time and deeply involved in not only the purchase but all of the changes/adjustments that take place with new management of a fleet of hotels. As I recall, your father was employed by the Honolulu Restautrant Supply Company-quite possibly one of the vendors for the new Sheraton Hotels. My father left this world in 1999. I am sure he will enjoy swaping stories of Waikiki in the early years.
There are never any words adequate to the loss of a loved one. But your father was fortunate to have a son as devoted as you, Ian.
Please accept our warm condolences!
Aloha no, Ian. Thank you for sharing your remarkable Dad’s life with us.
As others have said, he was so lucky to have a dedicated loving son and family like you folks.
Condolences to you, and your entire family, Ian. Thank you for sharing this journey. May your father rest in peace.
i’m so sorry for your loss.
Never met your father, but felt I got to know a little of him through your writing. Although I knew this entry would someday come, it was still a sad surprise to actually see it. Thank you for sharing this experience. My thoughts are with you and your family.