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Posted by: zymurgist Jun 4 2007, 11:03 PM

Today I lost my father.

For over 30 years, Peter Panton was an important part of my life. He had no obligation to raise me or my sister, but he did anyway. He helped to build a stable, normal life for a single mom and two kids, long before it was fashionable to be a single mom. He made a decent living in computers long before you needed a master's degree to get an interview. Peter showed me my first Porsche, and owned a BMW long before yuppies discovered German engineering. His sense of humor was different, but I appreciated it because I think much along the same lines.

I am forever in his debt, not only for introducing me to computers and air cooled sports cars and single-lens-reflex cameras and so much more, but mostly for being there.

Even though 1000 words would barely scratch the surface, that's about all that I can write right now.

Posted by: 914nerd Jun 4 2007, 11:08 PM

Sorry to hear about your loss
It sounds like the world has lost a good man

Posted by: BigDBass Jun 4 2007, 11:08 PM

I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry for your loss! Hang in there.

Posted by: messix Jun 4 2007, 11:15 PM

it's great that you had a very remarkable man in your life.

i have one also, my dad [step dad, but so much more].

Posted by: MrKona Jun 4 2007, 11:21 PM

I'll bet you're one of many who will speak so affectionately of him. Nothing more to say, but I'm sorry.

Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 4 2007, 11:26 PM

Sorry for your loss. He sounds like an awesome guy.

Posted by: So.Cal.914 Jun 4 2007, 11:29 PM

It's nice that you had a friend for a father. My condolences.

Posted by: Coy Jun 4 2007, 11:39 PM

I'm really sorry for your loss. Sounds like you were a very lucky guy to have a person like that in your life, and from your words I would guess he felt lucky too.

My very sincere condolences

Posted by: Mrs. K Jun 4 2007, 11:49 PM

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Hang in there.........



Lisa

Posted by: markb Jun 4 2007, 11:51 PM

My condolences, also.

Posted by: TROJANMAN Jun 4 2007, 11:55 PM

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss

Posted by: craig downs Jun 5 2007, 12:02 AM

Very sorry for your loss. You were very lucky to have a person like him to take care
you. All the best

Posted by: George H. Jun 5 2007, 12:12 AM

my condolences, sorry to hear about our loss

Posted by: JRust Jun 5 2007, 12:51 AM

Keep your head up! It is nice to have someone in your life to show you the way! I hope you have the chance to do the same for someone else. I have an appreciation for dads. Something I never experienced with any favor. Yet I had friends who's parents felt like my own. They are the reason I am a good father today. I am truly sorry for your loss. Celebrate his life & the blessing he was to yours!

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jun 5 2007, 01:21 AM

May he forever rest in peace , and may you find comfort in your memories of him .
I miss my Dad every day .
Marty

Posted by: ThinAir Jun 5 2007, 01:37 AM

My condolences on your loss, and prayers that you will have far many more days when you can smile about his life in celebration than those that you mourn his loss.

Posted by: sww914 Jun 5 2007, 02:00 AM

At the saddest times, remember how good it was to have him when you did.
My father did more harm than good. You're lucky you got a good one.

Posted by: effutuo101 Jun 5 2007, 02:05 AM

Our condolences as well. I am in the same boat. My Step father of 40 years is the only Dad I have really known. Take care.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jun 5 2007, 02:05 AM

Sorry to hear it, but you will still have good memories.

Maybe he can hang out with my grandpa, and talk VWs...

--DD

Posted by: BarberDave Jun 5 2007, 05:56 AM

my dad has been gone many years now. I miss him every day, except when I see him in my kids, then i know he is with us for ever. Dave

Posted by: BMXerror Jun 5 2007, 10:04 AM

QUOTE(zymurgist @ Jun 4 2007, 10:03 PM)

Posted by: 1970 Neun vierzehn Jun 5 2007, 10:09 AM

Ken,
Surely, Peter's memory will be with you for the rest of your life. He'd be very pleased with that. I'm sorry for your loss.
Paul

Posted by: Headrage Jun 5 2007, 10:17 AM

My sincere condolences on your loss...

Posted by: Dr Evil Jun 5 2007, 11:14 AM

Im so sorry, Ken You were truley lucky to have known him.

Posted by: aircooledboy Jun 5 2007, 11:16 AM

I am truly sorry for your loss. In your few words you have spoken volumes about him, and it brings a small tear to my eye. Partly because I feel your loss, and partly because it makes me feel a little better about the state of our world that there are in fact still men like that. Men who quitely go about their lives, doing the right thing for those they love, and making the world a little better along the way.


BTW, the only father I ever knew took my mom and my two older brothers and I into his life when I was a year old, and I have missed him every day for the last 13 years. But, I feel him near everytime someone who's life he changed tells me "hey, I knew your dad. . . "

Posted by: drive-ability Jun 5 2007, 08:39 PM

Surely, your father was proud to have you for a son..

Posted by: zymurgist Jun 16 2007, 09:05 AM

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. I got back from Florida on Thursday. We had a nice memorial service last Wednesday and my mom was surprised by the number of people who showed up. He touched so many people in different ways. We found his discharge papers from the US Army... he served in Korea, having joined the army to earn money to support his mother. We got a folded flag in time for the memorial.

Here is a picture of him in better days with his cat Rocky. In my mom's House O' Cats™ two of them were Pete's buddies... a little Siamese colored girl named Peewee and a neurotic wussy boy named Rocket Boy (or Rocky for short). Rocky is still begging from everyone's plate. Peewee is spending her days hanging out in Pete's room, coming out to explore every once in a while. I guess that animals get broken hearts too.



Here's the obituary that I wrote (with help from my mom and sister)...

http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=88964586

Posted by: r_towle Jun 16 2007, 09:14 AM

Celebrate his life.
He lives on in you and your memories.
Remember what he taught you and make him proud.

Rich